The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-29
INCREASED REVENUE
FROM GAS REQUIRED
TO match ROAD AID
Additional $500, 900 Annually to
Be Had From U. S. for High
ways if State Raises More
MILEAGE DELUGE Is FILED
Only 40 Percent Of Improve.
ment Demanded by Counties
Now Possible to Give

UISIiI GSIIt0'IN0N ~ SVN'SSS
Now Possible to Give
Adoption of a measure to increase
the gasoline tax from three to four
cents a gallon will enable the state
highway department to speed up new
road construction about SO per cent
above the present rate and to carry
on a we'll balanced improvement pro-
gram at the same time in at least 40
counties, Governor George F. Shafer
said in an article prepared for pub
LEGATION in the state Highway Bulletin
today.
The additional revenue derived
from a one-cent increase in the tax
will also enable the highway depart
ment to complete the state road sys-
TEN in five or six years.
The measure, sponsored by the
State County Commissioners assocl-
alton, will be submitted to the voters
at the primary election on June Is.
Governor Shafer strongly urged the
adoption of the measure, terming it "a
wise proposal at this time"
SCOPE OF Program
Some years ago." the governor
said. North Dakota began the con-
struction of a so-called federal high
way system. consisting of 7,457 miles
Of roads with the aid of federal funds
furnished by the United States gov
eminent upon a basis Of one-half by
the government and one-half by the
state. On January /. 1880, we had
completed about As per cent Of this
system, including $500 miles OF
crawling and 1900 miles of grading.
Last year, 1929. we improved about
1.140 miles Of state highways including
442 miles of new grading, and 572
miles of new crawling and 126 miles
Of regarding and regraveling Of old
highways.
$50 far, in our highway develop
ment program, We have gotten along
without contracting any debts against
the state for either road building or
road maintenance purposes. The state
highway department Is operated on a
strictly cash basis. On January l,
1880, it had sufficient funds on hand,
or due it, to pay all outstanding
claims, but it had no surplus. We
must meet al! 1880 claims out Of the
1880 revenues. We have no authority,
even if we had the disposition, to u
the state into debt for highway i'm
provement purposes. Therefore, We
must conform u construction pro-
gram rigidly to our available funds.
Sources Of Income
What is the amount and source OF
state highway funds?
"u) The department now receives
about 81. 100000 annually from the
United States, known as federal aid.
Under the new federal aid bill, re-
Gently passed by congress and effec-
tive July l, 1880, this amount is in
creased to 81, 1000, 00O.
"(2) It receives a certain share OF
the collections from automobile IL
cense fees and gasoline taxes imposed,
as follows:
I'm 1929 it received about $500 900
from automobile license fees.
In 1929 it received $1,4l0,00O from
gasoline taxes (being the net collec-
lions from two cents per gallon after
deducting refunds to owners of trac-
tors and gasoline engines). Counties
receive the entire net collections from
one cent since July /, 1929. Another
one cent will add about 100000 to
the state highway fund after allowing
for refunds.
ct receives funds from the several
counties where highway work is done
to aid the state department In match
ing federal aid. The counties are now
contributing at the rate of one-fourth
Of the cost of construction, while the
state provides one-fourth.
Road Budget
1.-THE estimated highway income for
1880, derived under state laws, Is
based on 1929 receipts"
The budget of anticipated receipts
and anticipated expenditures for the
year, according to the governors fig
ures, are:
Auto license fees. states
share 0oO,OOO
Gas tax, states share 900. $500 900
Miscellaneous receipts go. 5000
Total .............. EAST 900
General road maintenance 1,16O,26
Snow removal, equipment
and labor .............. 174,737
Preliminary and cOnStruc-
ton engineering ....... 253,000
Appropriation for regarding
and r%egraveling old high
ways .................... $4,000
Balance available to match
federal aid for new dNn-
struction .............. 6oo,o oc
1Utdl ..,........,..- G,9tO,VVS
Under this budget" the governor
added, 1T will be seen that the state
is just able to match the present fed.
eral aid sum OF $1,000, 900 Cat tht
rate of Is per cent by the state anE
IS per cent by the countless, but Il
-
In What Month
T. w. III