30 BULLETIISr 389^ TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



ROAD AND BRIDGE BONDS. 



The total road and bridge bonds outstanding at the close of 1914 amottnted to 

 $1,411,889, of which $62,000 were voted and $358,000 were sold in 1914. Expenditure 

 from bond funds in 1914 amounted to $429,800. There was retired $49,842. Detailed 

 information in regard to road and bridge bonds is presented by counties in Table 60. 



MISSOURI.1 



Missouri has a land area of 68,727 square miles and a total road mileage of 96,041, of 

 which 6,712.57 miles or 6.98 per cent were surfaced at the close of 1914. The roads 

 of the State are classified as follows: class A, inteicounty-seat highways, which, 

 when selected and recorded, are known as "State roads;" class B, county public 

 roads, rural route mail roads, or roads that are important laterals to class A roads, and 

 leading to or connecting populous centers; and class C, township roads or roads in 

 the nature of neighborhood roads and not connecting populous centers. 



A State highway department exists for the purpose of affording instruction, assist- 

 ance, and cooperation between the State and counties In the construction, improve- 

 ment, maintenance, and repair of the public highways. " The governor appoints a 

 State highway commissioner for a term of four years. The commissioner, with ap- 

 proval of the governor, appoints one deputy highway commissioner, who is required 

 to be a competent civil or highway engineer. The State highway commissioner, 

 on application of the county court of any county is required to make, or cause to be 

 made, the necessary investigation for the selection and establishment of intercounty 

 highways which become "State roads." 



A fund known as "The general State road fund," is created in the State treasury, 

 and all money accruing to the State from any general or special levy of taxes for road 

 purposes, or from any other source whatever, or derived in any way for the construc- 

 tion and improvement of public roads, is credited to such fund, which is apportioned 

 annually to the several counties, districts, and the city of St. Louis, in proportion 

 to the assessed property valuation therein, but no county, district, or city shall receive 

 more than 3 per cent thereof. An equal amount must be raised by such county, 

 district, or city and all expended for the construction or improvement of roads, the 

 plans and specifications for which, if the cost exceed $1,000 per mile of road or $500 

 for a culvert, must be submitted to the State highway commissioner for his approval. 



The county courts are vested with jurisdiction and control of all matters relating 

 to public roads, culverts, or bridges, and expenditures therefor. The county court 

 in all counties, except those under township organization, is required to divide the 

 county into suitable and convenient road districts and appoint a road overseer for 

 each district. The court also appoints a county highway engineer annually who may 

 be the county surveyor. The county highway engineer has direct supervision over 

 the public roads of the county and over the road overseers, and the expenditure of 

 all county or district funds by the road overseer. The ofiice of county highway 

 engineer may be abolished on vote of a majority of those voting at an election called 

 thereon. 



The county court of counties not under township organization, and township boards 

 In counties under township organization, may divide the territory of their respective 

 counties or townships into special road districts when petitioned to do so by the 

 owners of a majority of the acres of land within the proposed district and after notice 

 and hearing thereon. A board of three commissioners is elected in each such dis- 

 trict to serve for a term of three years. This board may levy a general tax for road 

 and bridge purposes on all property in the district, and may issue road and bridge 

 bonds of the district if authorized by a two-thirds vote at an election thereon, the 



1 In collecting the information for Missouri, assistance was rendered by E. W. Sheets, deputy State 

 highway commissioner, and collaborator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 



