The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-22
HIGHWAY CHIEF
WANTS COUNTY
: GAS TAX SHARE
Wedeking Would Have
State Take Over Roads
to Provide Jobs.

W ONfAN ~NNN
Counter offensive in the drive to
curb state highway department ex-
penditures by returning more gaso-
line tax money to local communities,
was launched by Albert j. Wede-
king, chairman of the state highway
department, in an address at Cam
Melton Thursday night.
Wedeking would have the state
highway department absorb three
fourths of the 1-cent-a-gallo which
his department does not now get.
This three-fourths cent goes to
county government for road main
tenance. The remaining fourth cent
goes TO cities and towns, and the
state highway department gets
Of the cents collected on each
gallon.
Advances Plan
Wedeking termed unfeasible the
plan announced by certain senators
to taking one-half of the present
state highway funds and divert
them TO the local governmental
units TO reduce the property tax for
roads.
mo explanation is needed to show
the senatorial plan is impossible, "
he declared.
Then he advanced his plan, which
is said to have grown out Of con-
ference with Governor Harry G.
Leslie.
It is to take the three-fourths
cent away from the counties, and
increase state highway department
revenues from the present $24,000,-
900 to $26,500,000, with the state
maintaining the major county high
ways.
Proposals Attacked
Wedeking predicted this would
reduce local tax levies by 16 cents,
and permit the state to help the
unemployed by furnishing jobs.
Critics of Weddings scheme con-
tend that unemployed men don't
care whether the work is done by
the county or state, as long as they
can get job and are paid in cash.
Critics also have contended that
1T costs the state about $40 a mile
. to maintain roads, while county
costs are 5000 a mile, or lower.
Another constant comment re-
garding state highway department
conduct during the last two depres-
sion years is that huge sums have
been permitted to pile up in the
treasury, here and at Washington.
instead of having been spent for
road work which would have pro-
vided jobs.
The department has more money
now than it knows how to handle
efficiently" say senator's who seek
to divert the funds to their local
communities.
Department Has Surplus
Since this agitation has become
increasingly popular, and threat of
a special session looms, the depart
ment has been speeding plans for
paving contracts so as to save all
the funds possible.
But they started the fiscal year
with $6,500000 in the state treasury
and the previous fiscal year with
nearly 100000 in uncollected fed
eral aid at Washington.
In his speech, Wedeking said that
his plan is in line with Governor
Leslie's policy to reduce local tax
levies. But the Governor failed to
1t the 29-cent state tax rate. IN
less he gets more than 100000 of
state highway funds taken from in
heritance tax in 1923-1924, the state
general fund will be depleted and a
higher tax levy necessary, due to
failing revenues.
Highway department revenues
now are greater than all other
branches of state government COM
bined. How they have grown is
shown by the following tabulation
1920, $4,312 ,4O413; 1921, $6,954, 864.13;
1922, $S,718,32693; 1923, $l5,642,-
1l7.46; 1924 SHAFTS, 45935; 1925;
$13,983, 1851; 1926, $14,290, 653 SO;
1927, $16,070, 904.53; 1928, $19,485,-
596.19; 1929, $21,749, 628.Ol; 193O-3l
fiscal year, $4,000, O95, and esti-
mated for the current fiscal year,
S24, 494, 1898.