The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-05-07

s24 miles, we're to be included in the
national system, eligible for Federal
aid. Nearly every mile Of that 1885,
061 was a candidate for designation
as q Federal highway. But in the end
the system was laid out as a truly a.
tiOnal one.
when the map was published q
showed nearly the 100000 miles Of
designated routes. Since then 46,4S5
miles Of these roads have been in
proved, nearly 5000 more are under
construction, and over 1000 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 it's 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 a 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, it is often impossible to get
them to agree where to build or how
to divide the cost Of q bridge. In
such cases the Federal authority has
repeatedly mediated differences and
secured construction. Let me men
| ton some instances.
J Missouri has been a state for Ovel
= a century. Divided east and west b.
the Missouri river, communication be
I tween the two sections has been linn
{ tied, to the states disadvantage. Fou,
r bridges across the river were required
q in the national highway program, ant
t Federal cooperation with the. state o
Missouri has made them possible
a Two are completed, the others are VI
!. der construction. The four will cos
a little more than $4,000, 900, the Fot
l. eral contribution being nearly $1,000
900.
s. Getting Bridges Constructed
n Another bridge that has a peculis
le Importance, both locally and natiOl
ID ally, has been needed for generation
Is across Raritan bay, New Jersey. It
one Of the links in the chain Of con
is municatiOn between New York eli
< and the country at large. In 1Si
New Jersey had some S70O,OO o Of Fe
eral aid allotted to her roads and
to 1926 over 100000 So the sta.
agreed that this Raritan bridge shOu.
N be built, costing about $4,000
es Federal funds made up about on
n third Of the amount. The bridge, ov
az q mile and q half long, is now neal
completed.
I'M "Such Illustrations might be mul
rs piled indefinitely. National particiT
ys- ton has repeatedly made possible &
accomplishment Of vitality importa
highway development"
lat According to the American Pet
bu- leum Institute, the gasoline tax "
eW first imposed in 1919 in Oregon.
,ur has now been adopted By all {
q states except New York, Illinois, N,
sse Jersey and Massachusetts,. The t,
les dency has been continually to
Die. crease the rate Of tax per gallon.
der late as 1921 gasoline taxes for the
are tire country were only about $500
as 600; in 1922. S12,OOO,0OO; in 1898,
most 1870 OO 900; In 1924. $4,000
s21 and IN 1926, S142,9S .749.
.ch- With good prospects that the 81
ted tax win be adopted soon By sta
to which do not have it now and "
list, the gaIlonage rates being increased
ere other states. it is calculated that G
tie tax alone win soon raise $500, 900,
l00s q year, quite possibly during 1895.