Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-04
NATIONAL HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
Senator ,fsnder~on Introduces Bin Pro-
viding for Its Creation.

viding for Its Creation.
The subject Of a general improvement
of highways is of such paramount i'm
portance as TO deserve the best attention
Of congress. and the bill for a national
highway commission just introduced BY
the president Of the senate. Senator Man
derson. of Nebraska, is one of the most
important of the session. Estimating
the road mileage of the country on the
basis Of that of an average rural town
thip in New Jersey, viz. three miles Of
road 10 each 100 persons, and taking a.
COO. 900 as the population Of the country
outside of cities and large towns, we
have in the United States 1850, 900 miles
of country roads. If 100000 miles re-
quire rebuilding at a cost of 5000 TO
Sc, 900 per mile, the consideration Of ways
and means and of possible economies in
so vast an outlay may well employ ma
tional commission of the highest charac-
ter. If it will pay to rebuild one mile Of
these roads it viii pay to rebuild all that
are bad. We give below the bill in full:
An act TO create national highway COM
mission aud to prescribe its duties
Be it enacted by the senate and house of rep
resentatives Of the United States Of America
in congress assembled.
Sec /. That a national highway commission
be created composed Of two senators of the
United States to be named by the vice president.
FIVE members Of the house OF representatives to
be named By the speaker of the house and five
citizens to be appointed by the president Of the
United States. together With the secretaries Of
war. agriculture and the interior. the post
master general and the attorney general, who
may be represented by subordinates from their
several departments. and an associate member
from each Of the states aud territories that
may by its executive OF otherwise appoint one.
Sec 2. The commission shall continue in
existence for two years from the date Of its
organization and shall hold it's meetings in
Washington during the sessions Of congress,
in Chicago during the Worlds fair and at such
other places and times as a majority Of all It's
members may elect.
Sec. s. The duties Of the commission shall be:
First-To devise and formulate plans for the
establishment Of national school Of roads
and bridges. with branches attached 10 the va
rious agricultural colleges and experiment sta
tons
Second-To consider and report whether in
any part of the United States military or post
roads might proitably be established and
built under the supervision Of such national
school and az a part OF its means Of instruction
been taken by the United States in highway
construction and maintenance. what highways
are still under national ownership or control
and what is recommended to be done for the
proper maintenance and repair Of such high
ways.
Fourth-To collect and disseminate general
information regarding roads and their i'm
provement,
Fifth-To procure the exhibition at the
Worlds fair in Chicago OF the best methods
and appliances for rcacuaLing. and to pro-
vide for organized practical instruction in the
art during tie continuance Of the fair. free OF
cost, 10 all who may desire IT,
Sixth-To collate the various recent state
laws regarding highway improvement with in
formation as TO their practical workings. and
TO suggest such combination or notifications
of those laws as may secure the best form OF
state aid to local communities in road con-
struction.
Seventh--To inquire and report whether any
form Of national aid to the same is desirable
and practicable and especially TO consider the
feasibility of cooperation by national. state
and county authorities in general system OF
road construction. based upon their agreement
In each case as to the need and character Of
the work, their joint supervision of its execu-
ton an equal or equitable division OF its cost
and the use Of the joint credit In order to OBJ
tain the necessary funds at a low rate of in
terest and long term of payment
Eighth--If such cooperation is approved, to
report what state and national legislation or
constitutional amendments are required TO
authorize and facilitate il.
Ninth-To investigate and report upon the
use Of convict labor in highway construction.
Tenth--To report whether It IS practicable
by legislation to regulate the construction OF
vehicles so as to insure the better preservation
of road surfaces
Eleventh--To submit its views and recon-
mendations uSon other subjects connected
with road Improvement that may suggest
themselves or be brought to its attention.
Sec l. The officers OF the commission shall
be a president and vice president, who shall be
members of the commission, and a secretary
chosen by the commission who may or may
not be a member
Sec ). All members OF the commission in
GLIDING the associates shall have an equal
voice in It's action. but a majority without
counting the associates shall constitutc a
quorum for business at any regular or proper
Is called meeting OF the commission
Sec. q. The commission shall report to con-
rress from time to time. and in of the
failure of a majority agreement upon any of
the subjects committed to 1t the commission
shall report by sections. as its members may
agree, for the information Of Congress and the
public.