Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-19
By JUDSoN c. WELLIVER


~ HE motor tourist en- route
from coast to coast stops
his car at filing station
on the side OF a cement
road in a middle western
state, and to the attendants polite
How much?" replies:
Ten gallons"
While the gas" Is being drawn
the attendant, noting that the car
bears California license, ven
lures:
You've come a long way. sir?"
Yes. considerably more than
1000 miles" replies the driver.
And these last few miles have
been particularly interesting, be-
cause I used to live in this coun-
ty, and this. is my first visit for a
dozen years. When l last saw it
there were only dirt roads; mud in
rainy weather, dust in dry. In the
last hour We have almost crossed
the county, on either cement or
macadam. When I lived here, it
would have taken half day, and
pretty nearly ruined car"
BY that time, the tank beng
filled. the motorist Interrupts his
"reminiscences to inquire:
How much?"
Ten gallons at Il cents; $40"
advises the attendant.
Mr.. Motor!st passes over bill,
and while change is being made,
continues:
The Highway Revolution
We've come from California,
and have scarcely had enough Of
bad roads to make US appreciate
the good ones. Yet it's only few
years since we all used to talk and
write endlessly about the coun-
try's greatest single need being
good roads. They used to tell US it
would take centuries to equip this
country with such roads, because
OF the expense. But here they are |;
I wonder how the country has man
aged to pay for them"
well, sir" suggests the gas
man, you have just paid an install
ment on them yourself. You paid
Il cents a gallon, of which 8 cents
Is state tax going straight to the
road fund. Last year that cent
tax in this state aggregated almost
$1,000, 900. Every dollar Of it went
into these roads. Besides that, the
state collected nearly $4,000. 900
from motor licenses. That went to
the road fund, too. So you see
you folks who buy the gas are the
ones who build the road"
"But Of course" suggests Mr..
Motorist, there's the big contri-
button that the Federal Govern
ment makes to aid in state road
construction. At least that part
Of It doesn't precisely come out OF
the man who pays the gas bill"
The attendant, who happens to
be OF the sort that specializes in
understanding his Job, smiles
broadly.
The Story Of Federal Aid
That's where you are mistaken.
Last year the Government paid
about 500, 100000 to the states to
help their road building. But in
the same year Uncle Sam collected
over S14S, 900 in internal rev.
enue taxes on motor cars. parts
and accessories. So you see the
man who buys the gas not only
paid the National Governments
share, but enough more to leave
Uncle Sam a balance OF nearly
$bo, ooo. 900"
Mr.. Motorists interest was a
good deal intrigued, and few days
later. being in Washington, he
drove around to the Department of
Agriculture, and called on Thomas
H. Macdonald. Chief Of the Bureau
OF Public Roads. He wanted to
know whether the filling station
man had his facts on straight
Mr.. Macdonald was gracious,
and more. Quite evidently he
wanted people to know about the
yerv matters Mr.. Motorist was find
ing so interesting.
"The people OF the United States
are now spending just about an
even billion dollars annually in
building good roads" he said.
"That doesn't include city streets;
lust country roads. A little more