Montana labor news., 1936-04-23
Investment In State
Permanent Highways
Totals S~6O,329,555

III q iEUOil oNADllllttCQ W nv
Elmer Holt by Chief Engineer D. A.
McKinnon Of the State Highway De-
partment, the total expenditures on
State highway permanent roads amou-
nts to $6O,329 SIS. There are now
5,4o7 miles in the State-Federal high
way system. OF that amount 4,4l6 mil
es are being improved or under con-
struction by all agencies including state,
forestry service, counties and cities.
There are 2,438 miles of paved and oil
ed roads completed; l,251 miles Of gray
elled surfaced roads and some l6.7 mil
es of bridges on all Of which $56,553,-
2S3 has been expended.
The report shows expenditures on
secondary roads of $2,025,702 for 81 mil
es OF paved and oiled roads, lSS miles
Of gravel surfaced roads and half a
mile Of bridges.
AT present projects totalling Sl,750,-
500 in cost and 70S miles Of roads are
under construction.
Mr.. McKinnon's report then reads:
Maintenance requirements, inereas-
ing proportionately TO completed mil
cage, have now reached a place Of ma
jor Importance in our expenditures and
from here on out will remain so IN
less we are 50 unbusinessHke as to per
nit depreciation Of Ii capital assets.
This we do not propose to do.
"A large part of our construction
money has been received from the fed
eral government. The maintenance
bill must be paid out Of the state gas
oline tax fund. Construction Of a mod
ern highway is Justified BY the value
received in the form Of time saving,
comfort, and decreased charges to op-
Grafton and upkeep Of cars. But why
stop there if added benefits may accrue
by going after them?
Montana has an investment Of some
$751; 1000 in a highway system built
to facilitate transportation and open
to public usage, Montana citizens are
therefore in the position OF stockhold-
ers in a large public utility corporation
with a directorate represented by the
State Highway Commission. Stock
holders expect dividends. So having
built the system It becomes a matter
Of natural sequence for the State High
way Department. to keep the invest
ment from depreciation and also to ad-
minister it in a way that will produce
all Of the dividends possible.
obviously the source OF gasoline
tax revenue may be divided as resid-
ent and nonresident. The number Of
Montana resident car owners is defin-
itely known and the revenue expect
ancy therefrom can be closely estimat-
ed. But added nonresident traffic is
plus-traffic practically unlimited in its
possibilities. Analysis Of the State
| Highway Department traffic survey for
1885 determines that the trickle of yir-
tually unlimited tourists last year was
worth $25,OO0,0O0 to Montana. Only a
fraction Of that money was for gas tax.
| The balance was expended in local
trade channels and represents Add
tional Cash Dividends. II unsolicited
guests ring in $25,OOO.OOO, that should
be hint enough to distribute invita-
tons. The Highway Department is the
logical agent to do it.
A Great State
montana has a combination OF
scenery, national parks, %recreational
areas, history and romatic background
unexcelled by any state in the union.
Our highway system reaches it all.
Those r the things that tourists want,
together with friendly, courteous treat
ment. Development Of this potential
market will change the tourist trickle
to a flood. Intelligent advertising and
proper hospitality will tap new springs
and divert present streams Of travel to
our territory.
"The State Highway Department has
already inaugurated a number Of pro-
jects designed to contribute to the con-
venience and pleasure OF the travelling
public. Another traffic survey will be
made this summer.