The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-22

That the movement for Federal par
ticipation in highway construction IS
not confined to motorists. but IS also
being agitated by the farmers. is one
OF the most hopeful indications of It's
ultimate success.
On this point the recent convention
of the National Grange, Patrons or
Husbandry, the oldest and most inhu-
entail Of the farmers organizations.
took decidedly favorable stand.
oliver Wilson, master OF the Nationai
Grange, in his annual address stated
The public highway is matter OF
general concern. The old idea that the
country road should be constructed
and maintained by the farmer has DIS
appeared. 1t is now recognized that
good roads are of as much Importance
10 the consumer as to the producer as
ANYTHING that lessons the cost Oh
TRANSFORMATION is benefit to the con-
sumner.
The Grange stands for and advo-
Gates Federal aid for road improve
msnt. There can be no good reason
given why the government shouiu no.
appropriato money for the MAINTAIN
ing and the improving or the pupllO
highway. the same as for our puolic
water works Seventy-hve per cent VI
he product of our country must pass
over the public highway before IL can
be transported over our railway VI
water systems. While the government
has spent millions of dollars Tor hlsh-
way improvement in our Foreign pos
sessions. has never appropriated one
dollar TO be used on the niSh"a! -
continental United States
The Grange membership IL unah
nouslv in favor of Congress making
suitable appropriations FOR hishM ~
construction and maintenance Ihis
,,,'-,,o,.. should be expended by
national highway commission or boaTu
working in conjunction with siiiiiai
commissions from the states
THE legislative committee Of the Ma
tional Grange should be instructed 10
use all the influence Of the Grange up
on Congress for a passage OF bill ap-
propriating sufficient sum under
proper regulations for the improve
ment OF our public highways
C. O. Raire. of Canton, No, chairman
of the National rance committee on
good roads, offered report when was
adopted. indorsing the plan for 81 >
tenn OF national roads, and the ies's
lative committee Of the Grange also
included Federal aid for road improve
ment among its recommendations.
This enthusiastic and renewed eN-
,,-ession from the organized farmers
means much 10 the American NutO-
r,ob1. Association. which IS rapidly
getting plans matured for the second
Federal Aid Good Roads Convention
al Washington. =. g. called Tor Mar
and :. 1919 Particularly interesting
have been the responses Oi rans mem
bres OF both houses Of the N@'io".1'
Congress to the request ~ the a a -
eor expressious from them OF tAeI
- rr the subject ~ national roads.
.r-o~r..rlv the railroads forced
,ocaltzation OF the travel on highways
...~auss - the rapid and Efficient scr
30. which they afforded ihc public.
,.-r,.,s Representative William y.
r--.,rfs Of ohio. Bat 81 Is readily
- ,hat the new device which makes
,ravel on these highways possible at
:. btoh rate OF speed. and almost as
.Tcfen. as railroads. brings the neces-
sifv Tor A national system. and THIS
= ,he one great thing IN the line 81
progress to-day"
- believe that Federal aid should
contemplate cooperation With inc
S,.tss and such concentration 81
80, spent - 20 insure permanent
good roads. built under the supervision
?, f-.se-al road experts says Repre-
se--ativc sydney Anderson. ~ Mime
sofa
IT, addition 20 endorsements from
80. .ourses she 4 4 \. u reco'v-
d trs assurances ~ most enthusiastic
/ ,o-.r.-atlor from the principal com
rssrrfaI organizations u ne nit.p
STAT. and naturally from good roads
I organizations.