The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-07-09
LARGEGASTAX
EXPANDS ROADS
BUILDING PLANS
Unlocked for Collections In
crease Will Permit More
Highway Construction

CONSTRUCTION OF more miles OF
state highway than was contem-
plated in the budget for this year
may be possible as q result of in
creased gasoline tax collections.
When the highway department
adopted its budget for 1923 it listed
certain roads in the order in which
they would be built. Enough roads
were listed to use all of the depart
ment's anticipated income.
Other roads, for which requests
had been received from various coun-
ties. were placed on a secondary or
reserve list which, presumably, would
be given preference in 1929.
Data compiled by J. ]. Ermatinger,
highway commission. secretary.
shows however, that the income for
the first six months Of 1928 exceed
ed the budget estimate by
$1O0,722.15. This money may be
used to enlarge the highway con-
struction program for which con-
tracts will be let this year.
The increase in collections Is COM
pared with budget anticipations, is
due wholly to increased gasoline tax
collections, which were $11l,500
higher than had been expected. Col
lections from automobile license fees,
however, fell $13,777.85 below the
estimated amount.
Trucks on Decrease
An increase of 1863 new car regis
trations and $50 trucks rs compared
with the first six months Of 1927 is
disclosed in the report. Many Of
the trucks are Of heavy models.
The report also states that tractor
sales have increased $50 per cent as
compared with the first six months
of 1927 and that tractors are being
used more extensively than ever be-
fore.
Because Of the fact that persons
entitled to refunds on gasoline taxes
do not always apply for refunds
promptly, it is possible, Err atinger
said, that the excess collections Of
$114,500 may be encountered some
what by prospective refunds.
On the other hand, he pointed out,
delay has been occasioned in the au-
tomobile registrars office by certifi-
cate Of title requirements, improper
remittances and other causes, so that
the registrar still had applications on
hand on July 3. These should be
cleaned up by the end Of the month.
he said, 80 that the collections from
automobile registrations should meet
the estimate contained in the budget
by the end Of the month. a. &,
Contracts ConsidaA ),
In view Of the facts 5fmatinger
reported. ut may be, conservatively
estimated that the department may
award contracts for an additional
$50, 900 Of construction work appor-
toned as follows: state aid 112,5OO;
county share, $37 500. If federal aid
money is taken from the emergency
fund then this figure may be in
creased proportionately.
Attention is directed to the ire
mendous increase in the number and
the amount Of gasolin~ tax refunds.
Whether this increase in refunds is
to be charged to the tracto, or other
causes is difficult to determine. Re-
funds for the r. six months repre-
sent SO.6 per cent Of the total re-
ceipts. This apparently is much too
large when compared to about six
per cent for Minnesota and about IA
per cent for South Dakota for the
past year. The matter needs thor
ough investigation, due to numerous
reports coming to my attention that
gasoline purchased for other pur-
poses is being used in motor We
hicles."
Data attached to the report showed
that the budget estimate provided
fer the registration Of 156, 800 auto
mobiles for the first SIX months Of
1928 with estimated collections Of
$1,574,235 Of which the high way de-
partment would receive $637, / 10.
Registration figures, however, dis.
close $50, 500 cars with collections Of