New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-24
ROADS UNDER INSPECTION
Federal and State Highway Com
missionerS at Work.
a UNIFORM SYSTEM NEEDED
officials Also Hope for the
Elimination of Dangerous
Curves and Crossings.

system Of interstate highways built ac-
cording to a standard uniform width ana
.-ai,+sined in the best possible condition at
an times Of the year, a campaign toward
,be elimination Of dangerous curves ana
5e.tb inviting grade crossings in addition
80 other matters regarding the improve
lent and maintenance OF highways. were
o-,onr the more important recommenda-
,,o,s made BY the federal and state high
=. commissioners who took part in the
.h-ss davs' tour and conferences last week
g. Nsw York. Massachusetts and Connect
-, under the auspices OF the Touring Club
NJ America.
= was the FIRST time in the history OF
che good roads movement in the United
S,stss that such a conference for road I'M
.,rovsuent has been held, having as its
live participants representatives Of the
.sdsral government and the highway COM
,,issioDers Of New York, Massachusetts,
connecticut and New Hampshire.
Meetings were held at Albany Spring
field and Waterbury and the three days
tour starting from Albany was so arranged
~. the Touring Clubs officials that several
n,rn5rsd miles Of the most modern and ap-
,rovsd types Of roads were thoroughly in
snec,ed in the states visited.
Logan Waller Page, director Of the
1-,iteE states Office Of Public Roads, pre-
sided over the conferences. and called par
ticular attention 20 the rapid growth Of the
GOOD roads movement. stating that the CO.
creration Of the commissioners from four
of the states in which millions Of dollars
are being expended for improved highways
vas a great step in advance.
The Touring Club OF America has been
working for over a year 10 bring about a
system Of harmony in the construction OF
ir,porrant interstate thoroughfares. The
necessity for some practical cooperation
was clearly seen during the tour Of inspec-
ton. for in more than one case, when the
commissioners reached the end OF a good
strip OF road in one state, the continuance
OF that road in the other state was found
10 be OF inferior construction. one OF the
most striking examples was during the run
from Springfield Mass. 70 Hartford, Conn.
After passing through Longmeadow' over
fair country road, leading into Conneeu-
cut. motorists find a good macadamizeo
state highway its superior CONDITION 10
that Of the Massachusetts road just LEFT
being so noticeable az 10 occasion comment
among some tourists regarding the differ
ent methods OF highway construction. SIM
liar conditions were found in passing from
New York into Massachusetts,.
Criticisms that such a contrast might
occasion would be unjust. as every motorist
who mas toured through the New England
states will admit that no better roads can
be found anywhere In the country than
through the popular touring sections of
Massachusetts, and Connecticut, but the
TACT tina, such differences in highway i'm
provement can be found at the state line
functions of important thorOughfares re-
veals the necessity Of harmonious cO-opera-
ton among the various state commission
ers
AS a result, therefore. of the recent con-
ferences at Albany. Springfield and Water
bury. and the harmony that prevailed in
every instance. the Touring Club Of Amer
lea confidently believes that a nationwide
movement has been started, which will lead
10 greater cooperation year by year in
interstate road building.
Il viii be but d short time, IL is believed,
when the commissioners of all the Eastern
States viii adopt a plan for the improve
ment Of the main thoroughfares leading
from state % state.
From New York those who took an active
psri in the discussions were State Superln-
tendent Of Highways William II. Catlin,
State superintendent of Public Works
Charles + fireman, State Engineer John
A. Bsnsel, comprising the New York State
Highway Commission, and Gordon Reel,
First Deputy Of the New York Department.
Massachusetts was represented by Colonel
William l. scher and Frank D. Kemp Of
the Highway Commission. James h. Mac
Donald State Highway Commissioner Of
Connecticut was one OF the most active
participants In the conferences, and was re-
ferred 70 by Logan Waller Page as the
dean OF Americas road commissioners.
New Hampshire was represented by State
Engineer r. e.. Hi, and his presence
showed that the spirit Of uniformity in in
terstate hghay building is ripe for continu-
Gus roads Chairman John II. Edwards Of
the Public Roads Board of Rhode Island
vas prevented from attending the confer
snces owing 10 IN health In addition 20
Director Page, who is also president Of the
American Association for Highway I'm
proyement, the federal government was
represented by Assistant Director Paul u.
Sargent, formerly State Highway Commits
soner Of Maine
The party was piloted by Colonel Henry
,9cNsir, editor OF the Automobile Blue
BOOK, In the touring clubs Thomas $40,
ana the tour and conferences were con
Quoted under the personal direction Of
secretary Frederick II. Elliott OF the Tour
ing Club OF America, which was com
mended Tor lbs efforts 10 improve highway
and touring conditions
was suggested by Director Page and
me commissioners Of the several states
NAT the touring club should have a tour
eho conference ~ this kind occur at least
Ohce year. and the same plan operated