Evening journal., 1912-10-23
FEDrRAL AID. FOR coon ROADS.

a MER1CAN sentiment in favor of good roads has
"A become so strong that there few States in
which it has not led to practical results. That is
true OF Delaware, although to the same extent
that it Is OF several Of the other commonwealth The
trouble Is that we have in State a selfish and
thinking political minority which, while It processes
to be in favor Of good roads, loses oppor-
unity to obstruct their construction Every day. how
ever, adds to the mperativeness Of the demands Of
people, and sooner later the obstructonsts
must give way to the good roads sentiment
While the States manifesting such activity In
the good roads movement is regrettable to notice
that our Federal Government Is not doing what Il
should do TO assist With Federal funds in the con-
struoon Of great interstate highways, extending BY
routes less direct, from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific and from the Lakes to the Gulf AT the pres
time there is widespread and non-partisan move
nent 70 the Federal Government IN this line Of
work Attention IS called to the fact that that Gov
ernment find many millions for expenditure In
other directions but little nothing for the improve
ment OF the nations road system. 1t spends annually
sos 600 900 for the maintenance Of standing army.
Il spends S125OO000O annually for the maintenance of
its naval establishment It spends more than 1885,
600 600 annually for the payment Of pensions 1t spends
on an average OF about S20000000 for the
annual improvement to rivers and harbors. Il
spends on an average Of about s1O,OOO,oOO
annually for the construction Of pubic bdfd-
ings Il spends $40OOO00 annually for the main
Of diplomatic and consular representatives In
foreign countries It spends $5O00O00 annually for
coast defenses and forthcatons It spends annually
s13OOOOO0 for agricultural development 1t spends
annually $9O00O0O upon the American Indians. But
practically nothing Is spent ever has been spent by
any administration Of political party for the con-
structon Of great national highways.
Prominent business men agitatng the con
strucon by private contributions, of coast-to-coast
highway from New York to San Francisco. Within
thirty minutes after the project had been broached in
indianapolis last MONTH 100000 had been pledged by
indianapolis business concerns. Other communities
are falling in line The promoters of the plan are
seeking for pledges aggregatng at least $lOoOOOOO
and not dollar Of the fund is to be spent until the
entire fund has been pledged. They expect to have
the subscription books ready to close not later than
next January The fund is to be used solely for the
purchase crushed rock and other necessary build
/ ing material 1t is not the purpose of the ocean-to
Ocean Highway Association to do any construction
work II VIII make contracts with the various States
and counties through which the road Will be built tc
put the material the road per specifications pre-
pared and given association by the United States
Government engineers, and inspected by the United
States Government engineers without charge to th'
association In a few instances, State corporation
! in the construction is feasible In most instances
however it win be found advisable to deal directl,
with the counties The fund of s1OOOo,OoO will give
\ to the association more than $4,000 mile TO spen'
on materials for the road That material will repre-
from thirty to fifty per cent of the cost OF th'
road SO that for s1O0oOOoO cash. the association will
the State and the counties cooperating, would ge
a S25OOO00O road
On this particular road the promoters do not desir
either State or Federal aid. They say its speedy
economical construction depends upon the absence o
political complications, delays and wrangles Tha
may be true with respect to that particular road
but It does alter the fact that there are In Amer
lea hundreds of thousands of men who believe tn
Federal Government should spend more money on ma
tiona highways and less enterprises not nearly s.
beneficial to the public.