tions of the State. The State highway engineer must furnish advice, plans and specifications to the local road authorities and, in some cases, supervise construction. Funds for the commission are provided by an automobile license fee of 25 cents per horse power and dealers' license fees of $15, payable to the State highway engineer and forming a State highway fund. One-fifth of this fund is available for the State highway commission and four-fifths must be returned to the counties where the money is collected and be placed to the credit of the counties' road funds. Applications for federal aid are made by the counties to the State highway commission, which transmits those approved by it to the federal authorities. The law provides that the counties must give all the guarantees required by the federal aid road law before the applications are transmitted to the federal authorities, and that the applications of the counties may be supplemented by projects prepared by the State highway commission, if it deems best. The commission is authorized to pledge the good faith of the State for the payment of any balance needed to meet the federal aid funds and not furnished by the counties.

The chairman of the commission is J. Monroe Johnson, of Marion, one of the two members appointed by the governor, the other being C. O. Hearon, of Spartanburg. The designated members are Prof. M. Goode Homes, of the University of South Carolina, Prof. Haile Houston, of Clemson Agricultural College, and Major R. G. Thomas, of the Military College of South Carolina.

South Dakota

A State highway department consisting of the governor, State engineer and a member appointed by the governor, has been created. It supervises, controls and directs the building of public roads and bridges on which State or federal aid is spent. Eighty per cent of all State road funds must be spent in the counties where collected, if the counties apply for such distribution, and both State and federal aid are to be distributed as nearly as practicable on the basis of the population, assessed valuation and road mileage in each county. The department designates roads of general importance to the State as State highways, authorizes their improvement, and pays for the work "out of any funds that may be appropriated for State road building," but the counties contribute a part of the cost.

Homer M. Derr is State engineer; his office is at Pierre. The commission will not be organized until July 1, 1917, at which time the new law becomes effective.

Texas

The legislature has passed a bill establishing a State highway commission of five members. The commission will select the State highway engineer and fix his salary. He prepares plans and specifications for the work done by State and federal aid and supervises its execution. The State highway commission is authorized to make all necessary contracts with the United States Department of Agriculture to receive federal cooperation. A State highway fund has been established out of 50 per cent of the net proceeds of the annual automobile license fee of 35 cents per horse power. The other 50 per cent is to be paid by the State highway commission, which is charged with collecting the fees, to the counties where it originates.

The State highway commission is to designate the State highways and to select the roads to be submitted to the United States Secretary of Agriculture for approval as federal aid roads. Any county receiving State aid for the improvement of the State roads within its boundaries

must contribute either 50 or 75 per cent of their total cost, according to the assessed valuation of the county.

County commissioners desiring to issue bonds for highway improvements may call upon the State highway commission for advice concerning the feasibility of doing the proposed work with the money which it is anticipated will be derived from the sale of the bonds.

Utah

A State bond issue of $2,000,000 has been authorized, the proceeds to be spent for roads and bridges by the State road commission. The motor vehicle license funds are used in paying interest and principal. The State road commission consists of the governor, State engineer, attorney general, secretary of state, and State auditor.

Washington

Under the 1917 legislation, the primary State roads are maintained by the counties under the supervision of the State. In addition to other funds, a specific allowance of $100 per mile annually is made from State revenue for the maintenance of primary highways. Five per cent of the permanent highway fund is set aside for maintenance of the roads improved with a 1.5-mill tax, augmented by the net proceeds of motor vehicle license fees. These fees are expected to yield $500,000 in 1917 and $750,000

in 1918.

The 1917 legislature appropriated $1,812,052 for State roads during the two years ending March 31, 1919, and reappropriated $127,249 for that purpose. It also appropriated $3,942,018 and reappropriated $1,050,180 for permanent highways. It is estimated that $6,000,000 of county funds will be spent on roads during the two years. The federal aid road law will furnish $700,000 during the fiscal years 1917 to 1919.

West Virginia

A State road commission of two members, one from each of the two political parties casting the largest votes at the last general election, has been created. They are appointed by the governor and hold office for four years. One must be a civil engineer with at least three years experience in highway work, and the other a man of "known and successful business qualifications." The commission may engage such assistants as it needs, within the limits of the appropriations for its work. The commissioners receive $3500 and expenses.

All public roads outside incorporated cities and towns are divided into two classes. Class A includes main county roads receiving federal or State aid, and Class B comprises all other roads, designated as district roads. The State road commission supervises the improvement of Class A roads, gives instruction to local road officials, is responsible for the enforcement of all road laws and aids the county officials in the improvement and maintenance of roads. No materials can be used in Class A roads without its approval, and it is authorized to test materials for county authorities. All road work and road financing by county officials are subject to its inspection.

The main county roads are selected by the State road commission and county courts jointly. The money for improving and maintaining these roads is raised by a county tax not exceeding 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This money is expended under the direction of the county courts except when State or federal aid is given, in which case the State road commission has charge. In case of serious damage by floods, a special levy of 10 cents per $100 may be made with the approval of the State tax commissioner and State road commission. General plans and speci

fications for the improvement of main county roads are made by the State road commission, which has no authority over Class B roads except by special agreement with the county courts.

The State road fund comprises the net proceeds of motor vehicle license fees, legislative appropriations and federal aid. After deducting the commission's expenses the balance is distributed among the counties in proportion to their main county roads, but no county receives any of the fund unless it contributes an equal amount.

One or more magisterial districts or a county may issue bonds or authorize a special road tax for not more than ten years by a three-fifths vote, held after the cost of the work has been estimated by an engineer and the proposition has been approved by the State road commission.

District road funds may be raised by tax levies not exceeding 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, and special levies of 10 cents are permitted for emergency work. The labor tax of one to four days work annually may be commuted at the rate of $2 per day.

Where there is a county road engineer he is also the road supervisor, but a road supervisor not an engineer may be appointed in counties not employing engineers. The county road engineer or supervisor coöperates with the State road commission and represents the county in work on Class A roads, and acts as the agent of the county court in all other road work. He purchases all materials and machinery with the court's approval. The roads in a county may be divided into sections not exceeding 2 miles in length for maintenance by contract or by day labor, or the patrol system may be adopted.

Road work on which State convicts are used must be carried out in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by the State road commission, which is authorized to operate quarries and brick plants by convict labor to supply materials to the counties. The guards, quarters, clothing, food and transportation of convicts on road work are provided by the warden of the penitentiary but the work is directed by the State road commission. The convicts must not be worked over 10 hours a day and are to be paid for time over 9 hours at the contract rate paid by the county to the State. If the work is done by contract, the State may furnish convict labor at the rate of $1 per day per convict to the amount of the State's contribution toward the cost of the improvement.

Vehicles wider than 90 inches are permitted only on wide roads and require a special permit even then. No vehicle weighing over 15 tons or having a gross loaded weight exceeding 600 pounds per inch width of tire can be operated on the roads, except by special permission and then only on heavy travel roads. The annual license fee for motorcycles is $5 and for other motor vehicles $10 plus 25 cents for each 100 pounds weight exceeding 2000 pounds. All motor vehicles operating as omnibuses or delivery wagons for public or private service outside incorporated cities and towns must pay for special permits at rates fixed by the State road commission.

Wyoming

The 1917 legislature created a State highway commission of five members, serving six years and appointed by the governor, not more than three to be from the same political party. They represent five geographical districts named in the law and receive a salary of $600 and their traveling expenses. The commission appoints a State highway engineer and fixes his salary. He has charge of laying out highways upon which State funds are spent, the purchase of machinery and equipment, and the employment of assistants, subject to the approval of the commission. A tax of 0.25 mill on each dollar of assessed valuation is levied for 1917 and 1918

for a State highway fund, in which will also be placed all other money received from any source for expenditure by the commission.

The highways to receive State and federal aid are designated by the commission in conjunction with the boards of county commissioners, but before any road is so designated the county commissioners must appropriate half of the cost of the improvement. All work done with State funds is performed in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by the State highway engineer and under his direction. The State highway engineer must also furnish to any board of county commissioners upon request plans and specifications for highway improvements. All bridges costing over $200 or more than 5 feet in span must be built to his satisfaction from his plans. All roads built with State aid are designated as State roads and must be maintained to the satisfaction of the State highway engineer by the counties in which they lie. The State highway commission may prescribe methods of accounting for road construction by the counties and regulations governing the issue by the State highway engineer of certificates of competency for persons employed by the counties as superintendents and foremen.

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