The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-02-25
Libby
FaYOrS New
Highway Bill
Would Readjust Division of
Funds Among Various
Road Districts.
PLANNING FOR BIG
MEETING IN JUNE


One of the most important pieces of
business transacted by the Libby Com
mercial club at its business meeting
Tuesday night, in City Hall, was the
authorizing of letter to State Senator
F. E. Baker urging his support of Sen
ate Bill IS. This bill proposes to es-
tablish new percentages for the distri-
button of funds to the various highway
districts of the state, and is therefore
highly important to this section.
1t is pointed out in The letter to SEN
ator Baker that, when operations under
the state gasoline tax were first set up,
the distribution of funds among the II
districts was based on the percentage
of uncompleted highways in each dis
trict Later it was ruled by the high
way commission that forest highways
should not be included in arriving at
these percentages and that no gas
money should go onto forest highways.
This rule held until case was taken
into the state supreme court by Min
eral county contesting this ruling
the supreme court ruled
that forest highways were eligible for
gas tax money When these first per-
centages were set up district No. /,
of Lincoln, F'lathead and
Lake counties, was allotted 807 per
cent of the gas tax money, to be spent
on highways within the three counties.
Should Have Larger Percentage.
Since that time there have been ex-
tenslve changes in the uncompleted
highway mileage in the various dis
tricts, due to the building Of highways
the state. In this district,
and especially in Lincoln county, many
additional miles of highway have been
added to the state system. This results
in giving this district much higher
of uncompleted mileage.
to other districts. Those who
nave given the matter study state this
percentage should be about 20 per cent
instead of the 807 per cent that has
prevailed in the distribution of funds
Senate Bill 96 now proposes to make a
of these percentages
among the II districts, and the club
vent on record in favor of the bill The
etter to Senator Baker so advises him.
L. S, WEIGH, reporting for the high
way committee, reported that he had
recently conferred with Walter ,Neils,
chairman of the committee, relative to
Mr.. Neils' recent conference with the
bureau of public roads in Portland
while Mr.. Neils was in that city. He
that the one mile south of
own would be taken care of this sum-
ner. 1t was stated that some of the
overpass money might be spent on the
bridge below Troy. Mr.. Neils also sug-
sested it would be an opportune time to
AXE up the matter Of getting the high
way through here oiled this summer
Highway Meeting In June
1t was decided that the meeting to be
sponsored by the highway committee
would probably be held some time in
June, when the roads are in better con-
dition. Meeting would probably be
held at the Sidney Logan memorial,
with real celebration in which neigh
boring clubs would be asked to par
Licipate. 1t was said contract would
be let this summer from Miller creek
to Elk hill. Oiling to be completed
by 1899.
II was reported. after the question
was raised, that Mineral avenue would
be maintained by the state
A letter from the Kalispell Chamber
Of Commerce asked contribution to
defray expense of an advertising book
let M. K. Kedzie raised the question
as 10 the ACCESSIBILITY of inducing tour
lists to come into this section until the
highways are in better condition. Carl
ton Joughin said the roads would be as
dusty this year as last because of new
The club concurred in
this sentiment and decided that adj
vertising be postponed until highways
are nearer completion.
II. c. Bolyard reported he anticipated
much mining activity this summer.
In regard to fish and game, NJ X.
Kedzie reported that whether the Lib
by fish hatchery is enlarged depends on
the action of the legislature in making
appropriations,
Joint Meeting lin April
The April meeting, on or about
April 8 or 3. will be a joint meeting
with the other civic clubs. The exact
date will be determined later, said w
e. Dexter.
President Switzer. who presided
,ssked for financial report. The re-
nort~Showed a balance on the LIST of the
month of $66.a7. Expenditures in Feb
r''arv were $500 for Christmas seals
s1o for pair of glasses for a need,
nerson. leaving a cash balance of S52.97
President Switzer stated that good re.
nort 'nasmuch as the club was in tn
red" when he took over the duties a
president on July l last year.