Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-08-25

s24 miles, were to be included in the
national system, eligible for Federal
aid. Nearly every mile OF that 1885,
061 was a candidate for designation
as a Federal highway But in the end
the system was laid out as a truly ma
tional one.
when the map was published IL
showed nearly the 100000 miles OF
designated routes Since then 46,4S5
miles OF these roads have been I'M
proved, nearly $4,000 more are under
construction, and over 1900 have been
approved for early beginning OF work.
In addition to that many states have
built, without Federal aid, extensive
sections which are included within
this national system. In fact, these
state contributions aggregate $4,000
miles, so that approximately two
thirds OF the 100000 mile national
highway system has already been i'm.
proved.
Uncle Sam as Road Supervisor
Along with all OF this, there Is the
Federal supervision over construction
and maintenance When Uncle Sam
helps build a road he reserves au.
thority to require its proper main
tenance. Then there Is the business
of uniform marking along highways,
which makes it possible for motorists
to drive thousands of miles on a des-
ignated route whose markings be-
come so familiar that after a few
miles he need not ask directions
Finally Federal participation has
made possible great number of
bridges at strategic points. Some OF
these have been needed for years, yet
state and local authorities have been
unable to provide them, partly be-
cause of the cost, partly because Of
competition between routes. When a
stream separates two counties, or two
! states, ii is often impossible to get
them to agree where to build or how
to divide the cost Of a bridge. In
such cases the Federal authority has
repeatedly mediated differences and
secured construction. Let me men
! ton some instances.
Missouri has been a state for over
century. Divided east and west by
| the Missouri river. communication be-
tween the two sections has been lin.
tied, to the states disadvantage. Four
bridges across the river were required
in the national highway program, and
Federal cooperation with the state of
Missouri has made them possible.
Two are completed the others are I'M
der construction The four will cost
a little more than $4,000 600, the Fed.
eral contribution being nearly $1,000
| 600
Getting Bridges Constructed
Another bridge that has a peculiar
Importance, both locally and nation
ally, has been needed for generations
across Raritan bay. New Jersey 1t is
one OF the links in the chain OF com
munication between New York city
and the country at large In 1924
New Jersey had some $1,000 of Fed
eral aid allotted to her roads and in
1925 over 100000 So the state
agreed that this Raritan bridge should
be built, costing about $4,000. 900.
E, Federal funds made up about one.
/ third OF the amount. The bridge, over
a mile and half long, is now nearly
completed.
Such Illustrations might be multi.
piled indefinitely. National participa.
ton has repeatedly made possible the
accomplishment of vitality important
highway development"
According to the American Petro-
leum Institute, the gasoline tax was
first imposed in 1919 in Oregon. II
has now been adopted by all the
states except New York, Illinois. New
Jersey and Massachusetts. The tan.
dency has been. continually m in.
crease the rate Of tax per gallon As
late as 1921 gasoline taxes for the an.
tire country We're only about $4,000.
900; in 1872. $4,000, 600; in 1929 al.
most S3700o.000 in 1924. $500 ooo
and in 1925, $142, 9S7,749.
With good prospects that the gas
tax will be adopted soon by state,
which do not have It now and with
the gallonage rates being Increased in
other states, it is calculated thai this
tax alone will soon raise $500 600 o0o
year quite possibly during 1926.