Evening star., 1928-11-18

Herbert Hoover and other victorious
candidates in the recent presidential
election weren't the only, ones to fare
well by the votes of the States. The
American motorist will be the better
of to the tune of 100000 900, or up
ward of 10000 miles of new and i'm
proved highways as the result Of bond
issues voted in four States.
The actual amount voted by the
four States was $240000, 900, but this
will be augmented on nearly $3.50
basis by Federal highway aid.
The Government aids the States in
their road building on this basis, with
some reservations. and it is impossibl:
to get the exact figures or mileage un-
til local conditions on each stretch OF
highway building or improvement can
be studied. The total figures can be
seen, however, to be conservative and
it is expected that the motorists in
terests in the results of the election will
come nearer $500,000,000 and $4,000
miles of new and improved highways
than the figures shown above.
Cost Is s35,OOO Per Mile.
The mileage is based on the rock
bottom figures of the American Auto
mobile Association that one mile of
paved highway costs S35000 to build
These figures are based on money spent
and roads built over long period OF
years ali over the country and do no;
take into consideration the peculiar
geographical formations and problems
that will confront highway engineers
in any of the States which passed
bond issues. The figures are as nearly
correct. however. as the experts OF the
AIT
compute them.
The victory was gained at the cost
Of only one gasoline tax rate boost ano
this is more than offset, motor official;
believe, by the passage. along with q
| 575,000,000 bond issue in Missouri, oi
law limiting the gasoline tax In that
State for the next 10 years to thc
present rate of 2 cents per gallon.
The bond issues passed by States ir
| the election are as follows:
Iowa, $100,000000 to complete the
present road system.
West Virginia, S35,000,000 to nearly
complete the present road system.
Missouri, S75,000,000 to complete the
present road system and provide fol
inauguration of new system o1
"digress" highways.
Louisiana, $3O,00o,ooO for improve.
nent of old and building of new roads
California Improves Park Roads.
In addition. California, while reject.
| ing a proposal Of bond issue of $10,.
100000 for removing grade crossings
throughout the State, passed another
bond issue of $6,000.000 for the Statt
park system which will be used largel.
in improving existing roads and build
ing new ones through the State parks
Two other States turned down roaC
bond issues, for various reasons.
Pennsylvania voted down a propose
for issuance of S50000,000 of bonds fo
new roads and improvements. while
Colorado voters turned thumbs dowr
on a proposal for bond issue of $50,
100000 for the same purpose.
There Is much to interest the motor
ist In that Missouri election. Thl
passage of the law limiting the gasoline
tax to cents for the nsxt 10 year;
is unprecedented in the annals o.
American road bond and tax legisla.
ton and forms, motor organization Of
ficials believe, a precedent that might
we'll be followed by other States in thc
| Union.
The fact that Missouri's $4,000 ,0OC
| road bond issue was passed to complete