Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-30
The Highway Committee

~. first meeting of the committee Of thirty-one 70
formulate a highway program for the state was heio ~
Austin Tuesday. The entire day was devoted 10 us
EMISSIONS and addresses, and one fact was yer! eN"e"'
that the committee has many differences o. op"'0"
70 compromise before there can DC any "sf" "
unanimity on a highway plan
The committee members appear fairly unanimous :"
..-;,,;rr that n connected system Of highways = eS-
xsrtiaI 70 the development Of state resources = '"e4
i.ro ursnimitv on the procedure to finance sueh con
rs.ted highways. The plan advanced oE Nn"
sterling. TO issue state bonds in the amount u ''v
ooo non 20 finance the program was discussed u ~
:...ior raised thereto by members who asserted tn"'
of such n sum for highways would DC
1900 hv much waste and corruption otherS as
-. a., counties should have a voice IN the iooa''on
g nc highways; that IT is not just 70 turn 'e '"''
h;.hw.v system over to the state; and others preSe"
~ rlea that the distribution Of funds m'gh' NJ III
oar;,,blc. and that some sections Of the state may II"
Gift more than others. ~ .on
-;...o !, i very. evident that if any constructive -
,;co i Forthcoming at any time n inc lu'ui'' W
: i. nro.pred after the committee has devoted con-
.;as,able time TO intensive study Of the highway proc
- 90 tho state and has cleared up the CLOUDS oil
aouht and misunderstanding. In TACT unless 'hie -
~ersral tendency indicated by committee members ~
-. ,beir differences il is very probable that the
next session of the legislature may be eompe'eo 70
work out it's own highway program .
Certain interests in the state, while inc! "h' no.
.,,o.. = gasoline tax. will seek to maintain that tax az
low level, and arc already vociferously demanding
that the burden OF highway improvement be carried oy
-, estate; that a gasoline tax for highway develop
mar, Uould serve to increase transportation costs. In
onros;tion 10 the Sterling plan the argument Is az
y.rced that Il would prove very difficult 70 hanuie
.vcb = road program. involving SS5o,OOo,Oco, without
considerable graft and corruption. In that connection
.h.~. Gill probably be no more graft and corruption n
rronortion to the mileage constructed than there Is
and IL the voters of Texas are not sufiieienti!
roxerful to prevent graft and corruption in connection
Nth state expenditures. they should frankly admit II
and turn the state funds over to the grafters. Inc
.rrumept that there may be possible corruption Is one
=, ere most specious that could be advanced and Is 2
S;rect reflection upon the Texas electorate.
Tbose who are opposing the gasoline tax on the
N,.,. that real estate should bear the main burden 81
l;~hv.v construction are not arousing much enthus-
t.sn. II Is generally admitted that Texas real estate
!. hearing ali the tax burden that should be placed
man II for such purpose, and it appears to be the al
rao., unanimous sentiment throughout the state that
.om,le,ior Of the state system should be financed by
n,.einy the burden upon the motor vehicle owner VINO
will nav in direct proportion to his use OF the nisn~ay'