The Detroit times., 1912-12-21
Changers Attitude Towards
Matter Is Encouraging
to Autoists
NATIONAL MASTER GIVES
SUBJECT CONSIDERATION
Says That Grange Stands for
and Advocates Federal
Aid

|
ticipation in highways construction is
not confined TO motorists, but Is also
being agitated by the farmers, Is one
of the most hopeful indications OF its
ultimate success.
On this point the recent convention
of the National Grange, Patrons OF
Husbandry, the oldest and most infiu-
entail of the farmers organizations,
took decidedly favorable stand. Hon.
Oliver Wilson, master OF the National
Grange, In his annual address, stated:
The public highway is a matter OF
general concern. The old idea that
the country road should be construct
ed and maintained by the farmer, has
disappeared. II is now recognized
that good roads are OF as much import
ance to the consumer as to the pro-
Queer, az anything that lessons the
cost OF transportation Is a benefit to
the consumer.
THE Grange stands for and advo-
Gates federal aid for road improve
ment There can be no good reason
given why the government should not
appropriate money for the maintain
ing and the improving OF the public
highway the same as for our public
water works. Seventy-fve per cent
OF the product OF our country must
pass over the public highways before
II can be transported over our rail
way or water systems. While the gov
eminent has spent millions OF dollars
for highway Improvement in our for
eign possessions, it has never appro-
priated one dollar to be used on the
highway In continental United States.
The Grange membership Is unani-
mously In favor of congress making
suitable appropriations for highway
construction and maintenance. This
appropriation should be expended by
national highway commission or
BOARD, working in conjunction with
similar comml sslonJ from the states.
The legislative committee OF the
National Grange should be instructed
TO use all the influence OF the Grange
upon congress for a passage of bill!
appropriating a sufficient sum under
proper regulations for. the improve
ment OF our public highways
G.. o. Raine, of Canton. Mo-, chair
man OF the Grange National commit
tee on good roads, offered a report
which was adopted, endorsing the
plan for a system OF national roads,
and the legislative committee OF the
Grange also included federal aid for
road improvement among its recon-
mendations.
This enthusiastic and renewed ex-
preston from the organized farmers,
means much to the American Auto
mobile association, which is rapidly
getting plans matured for the Second
Federal Aid Good Roads convention
at Washington, ID. c., called for March
and z, 1918. Particularly Interest,"
ing have been the responses OF many
members OF both houses OF the ma
tional congress TO the request or the
A. A. A. for expressions from them OF
their views on the subject OF national
roads:
Formerly the railroads forced
localization OF the travel on highways
because of the rapid and efficient ser
vice which they afforded the public,
writes Rep William B. Francis, OF
Ohio. but 1t is readily seen that the
new device which makes travel on
these highways possible at as high
rate OF speed, and almost as efficient
as railroads, brings the necessity for
a national system, and this is the one
great thing In the line OF progress
today"
81 believe that federal aid should
contemplate cooperation with the
states and such concentration OF
money spent as to insure permanent
good roads, built under the supervision
of federal road experts" says Rep.
Sydney Anderson OF Minnesota.
In addition TO endorsements from
these sources, the A. A. A. Is receiv-
ing assurances of most enthusiastic
cooperation from the principal com
mercial organizations OF the United
States and naturally from good roads
organizations.