Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-23

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up to fifty or sixty miles an hour the
engine lis driven much faster than the
rate for which ii was designed, even with
the larger sizes of wheels.
xx
William =. Barnhart. local Everitt rep
resentative left Washington last night on
a trip TO Norfolk Lynchburg. Roanoke
and Richmond. He expects to return
home Thursday.
Remarkable as has been the develop
ment of the idea of state roads during
the past few years. the new state road
system of Pennsylvania surpasses any
other yet signed, not even excepting that
OF California. which is spending SlS.eD,-
600 a state road system
The Pennsylvania legislature of 1911 en-
acted law called the .Sproul' law pro-
proximately 5000 miles in extent. and
reaching every county seat. every large
center of population, and state lines In a
great number OF places. where connec-
tons with tine roads of other states may
be made.
June /. 1872 was the limit OF time set
by law for the state highway depart
ment to survey and take over into the
care of the state the highways constitut-
ing the system These roads also in
cluded such toll roads could be Sc
cured on reasonable terms and without
litigation. A number OF these were taken
over.
Three million dollars was appropriated
to cover the expenses and provide for i'm
provement until the legislature should
again meet and make further appropria-
tons.
The highways taken over the 1st OF
June and previously cover practically the
entire state highway system and the
roads are now under the care OF the
state. So much work has to be done IN
repairs to roads and bridges To make and
keep them Iassa BILE that IL is considered
questionable whether there Will be any Of
the 100000 left for new construction,
pending the next meeting of the legisla-
ture.
highways was established a resolution
was passed by the legislature so amend
ing the Pennsylvania constitution as TO
permit the issue of bonds to the extent or
$4,000, 600 for road purposes. Under the
Pennsylvania basis law such a resolu-
ton must be passed by two successive
legislatures. then be voted on by the peo-
pie, and then the next legislature must
enact laws arranging the details. The
legislature of 1913 will undoubtedly pass
the resolution and the voters at the 1913
election are expected to vote in Its Tayor.
Then. instead of waiting two years more
for the Legislature of 1913, IL is expected
that GOV Tener, who greatly favors the
t.
vide the details In the meantime. the
state has the roads and will take care or
them with such funds as may be pro-
vided.
j. H. Weeks chairman OF the good
roads committee of the Pennsylvania Mo-
tor Federation. the A A. A. state body.
has been i'm the thick of the work getting
the data advanced by the legtsla-
ture. and is expected 10 direct much or
the educational work necessary in eN-
planning the value of the system to the
people that they may vote right at the
election. President Robert p. Hooper
who is also the head OF the national as
ISOLATION = and other federation officials
are aiding the good roads committee.
Nearly every member of the Pennsyl-
vania delegation In Congress Is In favor
of federal aid in the building OF such
roads as carry a heavy interstate travel.
The legitimate outgrowth of the country
road system was the system OF state
roads: and the growth of the state road
idea into a comprehension OF the neces-
sity for national roads is only keeping up
with the development of traffic.
4 decided innovation. In the form Of
touring Information. is announced by the
Touring Club of America in the placing
of detour signs at points upon the main
tourists to avoid roads that have been
closed for repairs or reconstruction.
These new detour signs will he in the
form of large blue arrow bearing plain
white letters the words. 'Detour-Follow
Arrows" with IT. &. A." on the arrow
point The arrows viii be placed along
all important detours from the main
by the official cars of the
club. as well by the clubs rer-
resentatives at its twenty-five branches
located in the principal touring centers.
In addition TO the blue and white ar
rows the Touring Club is compiling the
detours in route card form upon the re-
verse of which will appear a small map
showing the detour, the directions and
map indicating the point where the de-
tour leaves and joins the main highway,
giving the route numbers, also the mile
age at which the odometer should be re-
set.
In many localities where the main high
WAYS are closed for reconstruction tour
lists are compelled TO find their way
around as best they can, although the
highway laws generally require contrac-
tors to provide safe detours during the
of new roads. IL is evident
that the laws are not being complied
with. Notwithstanding that many COM
plants have been filed with the authori-
ties. who say they were not aware that
the contractors were lodging their re-
Upon many OF the main highways the
tourist encounters signs which simply
announce that the road ahead In closed"
or road being repaired" there being no
sign to instruct the users OF the road
as TO which way TO turn in order TO
secure q safe and convenient detour.