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Show I ROAD WORK IN THE WEST. Before the legislatures of the different differ-ent states complete their work this winter, it Is quite Important that the federal povernmenf definitely announce an-nounce its program of aid in road construction. con-struction. If this is not done, the building of highways in many states may be seriously interrupted. This is a matter of concern to Og- Iden not only from the standpoint of belter roads, but the bureau of public pub-lic roads covering this district has headquarters hero and mxi men are connected with its activities. A message from Washington state? that the Mcrthur bill, authorizing an appropriation of $lu0.O00,000 during the next four years, has been favor ably acted on by the BUD-COmmlttee of the house committee on roadsc It is stated that the committee has adopted adopt-ed an amendment changing the basis on which the public land states shall co operate in raising funds. I'nder the new basis a western state will re rpivp tartar I lol turn t s than it has II been getting under the old law. the committee having taken Into consideration consider-ation the fact that a great percentage L 1 of the area of these states is now tied I up in government reservation", and. I therefore, not taxable Under the old plan the state contributed 50 per cent and the federal povernuieni rn pe; enf. and that basis will be continued in the east and middle west In the public land states, however, a larger roportion will hereafter be contributed contrib-uted by the federal government, because be-cause of its large ownership of land within those states and because the states, on account of these reservations, reserva-tions, arc handicapped in the matter L I of taxes. The new plan means that Utah will contribute 19.7 per cent and the federal government 80.3 per cent of the total amount to be expended on Utah Toads, and the percentage in other oth-er states will be worked out in this i same way, being governed largely by ihe amount of federal owned and nontaxable non-taxable land in the srate At no time has there been greater need for road work as a means of giving giv-ing emplo ment to surplus workers than now. With thousands of men out of work and stagnation appearing, the time has arrived when the federal gov-t gov-t eminent should create as much of this useful employment as its finances will allow, and, if necessary, bonds should be issued for that purpose. |