Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14
GOOD ROADS ISSUE
!. PUT UP TO VOTERS
Total of $4,000, 900 Bonds
Submitted in Six States for
|, Completing Highways.

"Out of the mud" is the slogan adopt
ID by the highway advocates in six
States where the voters will determine
at the coming Fall election whether they
will approve the issuance of some $780,
O00, 600 in highway bonds for the i'm
mediate completion of their State high
way systems, according to Roy D.
Chaplin chairman of the highway COM
imittee of the National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce. in reporting to
the members, meeting of that organiza-
fion recently.
I'm addition to the projects definitely
set for vote at the November election
there are movements in foot in five or
six other States looking to the issuance
of more than 100000 900 in bonds with
which to expedite the completion of
State highway systems" Mr.. Chaplin re-
ported further.
Iowa at Head of List.
''Iowa heads the list for action this
Fall with contemplated 500, 600, 900
bond issue which will be used to retire
and replace some 100000 used for
the construction of State highways. The
balance of the funds will be devoted to
.Surfacing on the State system, with the
expectation of hard Surfacing some 1900
Pniles and crawling another 1900 miles
on this system.
Missouri will vote on an issue of
$75.000,0 900 with which to complete work
of surfacing the State system, widening
roads in special metropolitan areas and
eXpending some $40,000,000 on farm
to-market roads or laterals.
Colorado by special petition has
placed on the Fall ballot a proposal to
issue total of $60,000,0 900 in bonds for
dhe building Of State system of roads.
pennsylvania will vote on the addi-
ffon of $50000000 to her highway bond
total to construct a large mileage of
roads recently added to the State sys-
ten; West Virginia will vote on a $685.
100000 issue for the construction of
State highways, and California has up
for consideration S10.000,000 issue for
the elimination of grade crossings.
California Receipts Cited.
with the exception of CALIFORNIA;
grade crossing bonds, all the bonds
which it IS proposed to issue will be
financed from motor vehicle registration
fees and gasoline taxes. In West Viz
ginia authority will be granted to levy
"a general tax if necessary, but first re-
sort will be had to the motor vehicle
fees and gasoline taxes.
THE other States where there is ac-
pive agitation at the present time for
The issuance of highway bonds are all
bocated in the South. Texas, largest of
all, is also talking in terms of a $780,
300, 900 issue with which to redeem
county bonds used for State highways
and to further extend the State system;
Georgia would issue $150,000,000 over
p period of years for the retirement
Of county bonds and completion of State
road system. Mississippi IS moving to-
ward $50.000,000 issue and Louisiana
b $30,000 900, while Alabama proposes
an issue OF $25 5000, 600. These bonds
would also be financed from motor
vehicle taxation. the bonds being issued
over period of years as the income
from motor vehicle taxation rises and
stabilizes
"A study Of bond proposals actually
bn the ballot and those projected evil
licences a desire on the part of State
officials to tighten the burden of coun-
ties and local tax groups who have IS
sued bonds and otherwise taxed them
selves to build roads which are on the
main State system and indispensable
30 the State as a whole. 7e
Bond Method Popular.
"Strong sentiment seems to prevail,
TOO, as to the ACCESSIBILITY of saving
30 10 years in the completion of the
State system by means of the bond
method. The result is actually pay
hs-you-go' plan, but with the roads ac-
kually in service. The experience of
States like North Carolina where bonds
were issued to pay for the State sys-
tenn contracts most favorably with
bther States where the fallacious
doctrine of 'pay-as-you-go' in the ordi-
harry sense still maintains. In those
instances the motorist too often pays
without going.
North Carolina, for instance, has not
bnly been retiring her bonds from motor
vehicle taxation but is rapidly building
up a surplus which is to be devoted to
The building of laterals and the further
Extension of the State system. In the
meantime the users of the road have
saved in operation costs more than the
lost Of the bonds, yet have done so
without the burdensor1e increase in
kuch taxation