The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1931-04-24

Il VI 6OOa " SCI
as much of this construction work
as possible done within the next
two years. Mr.. Moss estimated
that the saving on the cost of con-
struction, by having the work
done during this period, would
equal twice the amount of the in
terest on the debentures.
The interest will amount TO ap-
proximately 81 1920, 900, but 1t will
mean $1,000. 900 of federal funds
which would be lost to the state
IL not used. This amount would
build a standard highway 700
miles long. Anytime a person
shows me a proposition where I
can trade s1.20 for $500, I'm for
it," said MI. Moss, land that is
just what This debenture plan
means.
Social Contacts Easier
He spoke of the social aspect
of the matter. Good roads make
it easier for the people to Ego
places and see things, and enable
people to increase their social con-
facts. Instead of knowing only a
bout the things of ones own i'm
mediate locality, as was the case
in the old horse and buggy days,
people may travel great distances
and know people and conditions
in distant parts of the state.
The tourist travel through Mon
tana will increase rapidly just as
soon as a good system Of roads
is completed, and the gas they
purchase within the state will be
a big item. 1t is estimated that
the amount of five cent tax paid
by outsiders will be sufficient to
take up the debentures. For years
tourists from both east and west
have been shunted around Mon
tana as much as possible on ac-
count of poor stretches of roads
in the state.
Trunk System First
Explaining the need of compTet-
ing the trunk system of highways
first, Mr.. Moss said that the gov
eminent insists that it's money be
spent where it will do the most
good, and that if a five mile strip
on each side of the roads on the
7 per cent system be taken, it Will
be found that 80 per cent Of the
population of the state will be
found within that strip. 1t is al
so estimated that IS per cent of
he aggregate mileage in the state
IS on the main highways of the
That, he said, is the reason
Why the government insists on
work on the main highways. There
ire undoubtedly individual cases
where the tax is not fair, but that
S a situation which can't be help
d. If more than 80 per cent of
he people are served by the main
highways, those are the roads to
,uild first.
aylorS ak propaganda
Commenting on the attempt of
Taylor of Plentywood to
tfr up opposition to the debeu-
IRE plan, he said that Taylor's
Propaganda was sheer propaganda
had no basis in fact. There
as no 10 cent gas tax contem-
by the legislators who drew
p the bill, nor will there be a
)-cent gas tax levied. But there
i'll be a five cent gas tax from
Ow until 1871, whether No. 50
or not.
Voting against the measure will
: a vote to hold Montana back;
)ting for the measure will push
state ahead by leaps and
He paid a fine compliment to the
embers of the state highway COM
ission when he said that the
ate was very lucky in having in
flee the three highway commits
1ners who are now serving the
ate, men who are so interested
the development of the Mon
ma highway program that they
give their time to the work
d even serve at financial loss to
emselyes. o. S. Warden, chair
N of the state highway commits
N, spent about $4,000 a year
IRE than he got out of the Job
carrying on the work of the
nmission.
Following the talk, Several in
audience asked Mr.. Moss a
nber of questions which he ans
red readily and convineingy-
ter a group of men talked with
q at the Sherman hotel. o. B.
rsford of the S~outhside was at
meeting and expressed himself
being convinced OF the worth
the debenture plan.
n re = nCy rNArCe