The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1912-11-15
WHOLE COUNTRY INTERESTED
IN GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT
Half Million Dollars is Appropriated by
POStOffice Department towards
Securing Better Highways

system of good roads in this country.
The probabilities are that before the
end is reached, this will mean bond
issue. But on the other hand if the
believers in good roads are correct, the
benefits of the good roads policy to
transportation will be tremendous.
All over the country rises up the
clamor for better roads. In many re-
spects, after the lapse of 1000 years,
the United States is behind the old
Romans in respect of road making and
good roads. But now, an actual start
has been made in the direction OF Fed
eral aid, and, inasmuch as it is the his
tory of Federal legislation and Federal
activities that once they are begun they
grow rather than diminish, it may be
expected that Congress in the near flu
ture will appropriate heavily for road
purposes.
That the automobile has done much
to stir up and organize the demand for
good roads in this country cannot be
doubted. While the automobile is de-
structive of good roads, it has caused
great numbers of people to become
interested in the subject Of better high
ways. Tens of thousands of people
who have never before given thought
to roads have had their attention di-
rected to them by the use of the auto
mobile.
The postoffice appropriation bill al
lows half million dollars to be expend-
ed under the direction of the Post
master General and the Secretary oil
Agriculture in improving the roads over
which rural delivery is carried on Oh
over which routes may be established.
This half million is additional to an
appropriation of $4,000 for joint
committee of the two houses to inquire
into Federal aid to good roads and re-
port at the earliest date practicable.
Already the work is being planned,
under the half million dollar appropria-
ton. 1t is under the direction OF Di-
rector Logan Waller Page, of the office
of Public Roads. Everybody know:
that the half million dollars will be
merely small beginning, and that II
the long run many millions of dollars
will be required. However, actual
road improvement will be carried on il
every state with the use of the $780,
900.
The policy for expenditure of the
100000 has been decided on by Mr.
Page, in conference with Postmaster
General Hitchcock and Secretary O.
Agriculture Wilson. 1t is the inten'
ton to distribute it equitably among
the Sites. Each State will get about
$40, 900. Of this $4,000 will be a
once allotted to each State, while about
So, 900 will be kept back to be used
as maintenance fund.
It is expected the $4,000 will be
used to put one or two post roads II
the best of condition. 1t is not the
purpose to actually build new roads
but TO see how far the money will gc
in putting existing roads in prime con
dition.
The States are expected, in orde
to get the use OF the Government
money, to allow twice the sum allowed
by the Government. In other word
the expenditure by the Government
of $4,000 in a State to improve thu
post roads will mean, in reality, tina
$4,000 is expended Tor that purpose
This will make it possible to improv'
considerable stretch Of road in eacl
State in the Union.
The Governor Of each State will b.
advised OF the plan Of the Fedora
Government, and the Governor vii
then ask the county or township
road authorities to select the route
or roads which they want improved
The Federal Government viii not in
terfere with the selection.