The Fort Peck press., 1936-04-09

VI OdOihS PiopOl lCly " COlli
pletdd mileage, have now reached
a place of major importance in on
expenditures and from here on GU
will remain so unless we are so I'D
businesslike as to permit %deprecia.
ton of III capital assets. This we
not propose to do.
"A large part of our construction
money has been received from the
federal government. The mainteD.
ance bill must be paid OUT of the
state gasoline tax fund. Construc.
of modern highway is justified by
the value received in the form Of
time saving, comfort, and decreased
charges to operation and upkeeI
of cars. But why stop there if ad.
ded benefits may accrue by going
after them?"
Montana has An investment oil
some SIS, 000 900 in a highway
system built to facilitate transport.
alton and open to gpublic usage.
Montana citizens are therefore in
the position of stockholders in a
large public utility corpoiation with
a directorate represented by the
State Highway Commission. Stock
holders expect dividends. So hav-
ing butt the system it becomes a
matter of natural sequence for The
State Highway Department to keep
the investment from depreciation
and also to administer it in a way
that will produce all of the divi-
dends possible.
Obviously the source of gasoline
tax revenue may be divided as
resident and nonresident. The
number of Montana resident car
owners is definitely known and the
revenue expectancy therefrom can
BIZ closely estimated. But added
nonresident traffic is plus-traffic
practically unlimited in its posi-
,ibilities, Analysis of the State
Highway Department traffic sur
vey for 1885 determines that the
of virtually unlimited tour
SITS last year was S rs 900, 900 to
Only a fraction of that
money vas for gas tax. The bal
ance was expended in local trade
channels and represents Additional
cash Dividends. If unsolicited tour
SITS bring in 5 5000, 900, that
should be hint enough to distribute
invitations. The Highway Depart
neIlt is the logical agent to de it.
A GREAT STATE
Montana has a combination of
cenery. national parks. recreation
Il areas, history and romantic back
unexcolled by any state in
he union. Our highway system
caches it all. Those are the things
hat tourists want, together with
riendly, courteour treatment. De
of this potential mark |
t will change the tourist trickle TO
flood. Intelligent advertising ard
roper hospitality will tap new
.prings and divert present streams
If travel to our territory.
The State Highway Department
as already inaugurated a number
f projects designed to contribute
D the convenience and pleasure of
he travelling public. Another
raffic survey will be made this
ummer. Attractive port of entry
tatiOns are to be erected at Stra-
egic points to intercept incoming
The attendants will give
rangers a personal welcome, mark
1eir Car as a guest Car with a
windshield sticker, present
lem with a road map and a lab f,
lid history Of the state, and fur
lem with any other information f,
ley e re. ,
Ninety-slx roadside histsricAl ,
larkers will be erected by Jul e |, ,
,vering high points of in e e in :
le Federal Aid system In ac)o'd +
ith the Governors policy and F.,
it'll the generous cooperation OF
le press we are conducting a state
'ide safety campaign directed to