Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-29

and struggle to keep down the dir
ect State tax.
2. Can it be by adding two cents
to the gas tax, which will produce
about $1,100,000. an amount still
inadequate? Never or at least not
next year-if the reaction of the peo-
pie to this proposition is correctly
voiced by the press. the Grange, and
by most men on the street.
8. BY touching the user of the
highway is another way, to wit: by
increasing vehicle registration fees;
that is, by infiicting the agony in one
dose rather than by the gallon. For
this there is at least precedent to
this extent. We rank fourteenth
among the states in rate of registra
ton fees. Thy are less than those of
New Hampshire, Vermont, or Con-
necticut,-much less than the latter
state 1t is proposed that an aver
age increase of $500 per car be made,
which would yield $1,000,0O0 addi-
tional funds, probably more by 1928.
BY using an increase in registra-
ton fees as the financial basis, the
fourth solution has been considered
and is proposed, to wit: a serial
bond issue, the first maturitie5s to
fall about 1912, when charges on
present bonds will be down to 1922
600 per year, putting out about 81
100000 bonds per year for perma-
nent construction, non reissuable,
and sufficient in the aggregate to in
sure the orderly and uninterrupted
completion of our state highway
system. The directors of the Maine
Automobile Association have gone
on record as advocating such an is
sue to the extent of $40, 10000 That
is their solution. The burden is
borne, not by increased state or mu-
nicipal tax, but by the owner of the
motor vehicle, who gains the ad-
of present day completion
of the projects, long season use, a
saving of at least two cents per mile
in driving on new road surfaces, and
of apportioning the construction
cost over a term of years; while
the State gains in markedly decreas-
ed maintenance costs and in increas-
ed real estate values. The obvious
analogy to water district and sewer
district methods of finance and con-
struction is presented and urged in
favor of this state highway bond is
sue.
4. Finally, it Is, Of course, theo-
retically possible to gain the neces-
sary funds--partly for maintenance
but mainly for construction-by
some legislative enactment which
will unite in tapping two or more of
the foregoing sources of revenue
composite measure. 1t is not made
here as a suggestion; but only as a
logical possibility in an effort to pre-
sent various ways and means.
But minor, yet considerable, re-
lief can be rendered the mainte-
nance fund. Motor vehicle fees ag-
gregating over 100000 now defray
the cost of maintaining the State
Police ($12o, O00); the Secretary of
States department for registration
and licenses ($113,000); and the sal
aries and overhead of the State
Highway Commission ($79,000). The
incoming Legislature will probably
be asked to consider whether some
or all of these departments should
not be maintained by direct appro-
priation, as are the Public Utilities
Commission, Department of Agricul-
ture. Commissioner of Education,
Adjutant General, and practically all
other departments of State govern
ment.
No new bond issue would be avail
able earlier than next autumn. II
immediate funds are imperative for
the spring of 1927. this solution-but
offering only small temporary relief
lis suggested for consideration:
There are S2.375,0o0 in bridge
bonds authorized for issue. The
constitution does not recognize them
other than as a part of $4,000. 000
issuable for state highway and
bridge construction. BY legislative
act only were these S2375 900 bonds
segregated for bridges. They have
never been issued. How many will
be needed for the next two years?
To what extent could they be more
adVantageously used for road con-
Struction? 1t is my opinion. off
hand, that an emergency legislative
act could. in whole or in part, re-
lease them. conditionally or other
wise, for highway construction with
out moral or constitutional obiec-
ton. (Note) l am informed that
now over 100 bridge construction
projects called for which should
have first call on this unappropri-
ated bridge money and would mate
rally reduce any balance which
might be safely released by legisla-
tive act for highway construction.
Resume of conclusions: and
sources of revenue requisite to con-
tinue state highway construction
programs
i. More maintenance money is
in amount several hum
dred thousand dollars per year:
Maintenance funds may be obtain
ed from the following sources: (a)
Increased gas tax: or (b) Increased
registration fees, or both. Co Re-
apportionment of present fees and
tax at expense of road construction
and by releasing part or all of
amount of 100000 now appropri-
ated from motor vehicle fees to
maintain three departments of state
and apply such sum to
highway maintenance: or Cd BY di-
rect. appropriation.
2. BY new legislation construc-
ton funds may be obtained from
the following sources: (a) From an
undetermined balance of funds de-