The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-07-08
Will Complete
HighwdyWhen
Idaho Decides

Governor Sam c. Ford is naming
a non-partiSan, non-political COM
mlttee to study the whole highway
situation in Montana, and to de-
wise method for increasing high
way revenues. This committee will
submit its findings to the l949 SEES
sion of the legislature.
Governor Ford has asked that the
names of six men be submitted to
him from each highway district
and from those men he will select
three from each district to serve
on a statewide committee.
Complying with the Governors
request, a meeting was held in Kali
ispell last week of representatives
from Flathead, Lincoln and Lake
counties, which comprise the 18th
highway district In attendance
from Lincoln county were Paul
Church, president of the Libby
Chamber of Commerce; O. S. Gil !
leSpie, city school superintendent.
Dexter Shaurette, secretary Cham
Der OF Commerce, and State Repre-
sentative Charles D. Rowe, all of |
Libby: and H. H. Mccullough and |
Mr.. Davis of Eureka. A number
we're also present from both Flat
head and Lake counties.
It was agreed that each county
should select two names to com
Prise the committee of six. The
Lincoln county delegation named
Rowe and Mr.. Nc
Cullough and they were elected to
he Slx-man committee.
Chairman Winkler of the state
highway commission was present
nd spoke at length regarding the
erious condition of Montana high
vavs and the need for additional !
evenue. " said Representative Rowe I
When interviewed on his return
l asked Mr.. Winkler to suggest :
D the meeting sources from which /
e thought additional funds could !
e raised for highway purposes" 7
ontlnued Mr.. Rowe HE mentioned !
averal, among which were a pos
ible increase in the gas tax, \
mango in the DIESEL oil tax, a re- Z
of the refund feature of !
he gas tax on gas not used on the \
lghWays. 4 ton-per-mile tax, and =
$50 change in the present law ?
hereby money from the auto IL II
snSeA toy Would so into the high
ay department instead of the gen !
al fund as it does now. The chair :
an said the auto license tax, if {
e law is changed. would bring in
the highway department about =
70 million dollars annually" stated +,
r. Rowe. y
Chairman Winkler dvance d 4
her suggestions in an informal
SuSsion, but it was not for the
lliSpell meeting to take any action l.
)ng those lines That will be -
: the wide committee to do
.er it has completed its studies. Z
e statewide committee is to take
a comprehensive study of all
OblemS touching on Montana
always and submit its recon-
ndations in time for the next n,
islature," concluded Rowe. =,
later in conversation with Mr.
urch, Chairman Winkler said the ~ -;
ntana highway department is r,
pared to go ahead with COM o.
ton of No to the Idaho line 80
t as soon as Idaho decides on its c.
posed new location of No. 2 to -
Montana line. Everything pos 49, ~
lie should be done to induce com 49, ~,
ton of that work by Idaho, said vi r'I
Winkler. It is understood the w.
coating of No. 2 so as to follow s r,G
Kootenai river from approx %
ely the Yak hill into Bonners t;,l
ry has been given up as too Re- r.,
ensive. The route now favored tor
h. ooS 'l!e w. canyon III in
sent Movie bridge Winkler also Inc ;I,,
the highway department ex- ~
IS to resurface the six miles Of n
: construction west Of Troy. the liz
ace of which was badly broken tbc
soon after being laid down VIC