The Detroit times., 1912-12-30
YEAR CLOSING
PROGRESSIVE
In GOOD ROADS
New York Tops List Of States
That Have Made APP
preparations
TWO CONVENTIONS OF
4 ESPECIAL IMPORTANCE
American Road Congress and
Federal Aid Convention
Accomplish Much

The year coming to a close has been
notable one from the viewpoint OF
good roads enthusiasts in many direc-
tons. II would be noteworthy II there
were nothing else to record than the
action OF many states in making lib
eral roads appropriations. New York
tops the list with the $50. 100000 bond
issue. added To its previous appropria-
ton OF an equal amount. Pennsyl-
vania follows with proposed $780,
1000 appropriation which there is
assurance will be favorably acted up
on by Its state legislature. In Call
fornia. an $l8,000,000 bond issue Is
now being expended; In Maine, the
$4,000, 900 bond issue has been author
lied, TO be met by the automobile
fees; smaller appropriations In other
states, all point TO vast betterment
In road conditions in the next few
years. The defeat OF the $50, 900 900
bond issue In Ohio Is the only discour-
aging feature OF the year, and even
this. say Ohio good roads advocates,
IL certain TO be reconsidered In the
near future.
ing the year, two are especially note
worthy. The American Road Congress
at Atlantic City, NJ j., brought to-
gether road builders and road users
in enthusiastic cooperation. Most im-
portant, however, was the first Fed
eral Aid Good Roads convention called
by the American Automobile associa-
ton, and held In Washington. ID. c., in
To- NJ n,,N 80 t.h ~ al
ready come results far-reaching and
which give promise OF greater things
at no distant day.
The Federal Aid convention formu-
lated the proposal for the appoint
ment OF congressional committee to
investigate and report upon the whole
subject OF federal participation In
highway construction. The resolution
providing for such a commission was
adopted by congress-, the commission
was appointed, and Is now at work.
The federal aid sentiment already
strong In congress, found further ex-
preston In the appropriation OF $780,
900 for the improvement OF rural post
roads, and the good roads enthusiasm
stimulated and crystallized by the A.
A. A., with the agricultural, business
and highway associations co-operat-
ing. has spread throughout the United
States, so that the beginning OF 1913
finds the federal aid question to be
not one OF whether the government
should spend national funds upon
roads, but as to the form which such
appropriations should take.
On this point another noteworthy
event of the year was the action or
the A. A. A. at its annual meeting in
placing itself squarely on record as
favoring the construction OF a system
OF national roads, and opposed TO the
scattering and piecemeal distribution
of government funds for purely local
highways, which work properly de-
wolves on the states, with county and
township cooperation.
Even though there is little likeli-
hood of the present congress taking
any important action on the subject
of federal aid, the joint committee Is
busily engaged collecting data and IN
formation upon which to base it's re-
port. All but one OF the members OF
the Joint committee have either been
reelected to the house, or their cor
tinuance In the senate Is assured
The governors OF all the states have
been called upon TOT Oetalleu lnlOl'
nation as to highway conditions in
their respective states, and inforra-
ton is also being gathered from high
way departments and other sources.
As a result the sixty-thlrd congress,
when II comes into existence on March
4. 1918, will have before 1t volume az
information on the subject OF good
roads never before available, and
which will be OF vast service Id formu-
lating a policy of federal aid.
The second federal aid convention,
10 be held in Washington simultane-
ously with the beginning OF the new
congress, will bring the organized mo-
florists, the farmers. and the business
men who will be represented there
into closer cooperation with con.
grese on this matter, and undoubtedly
will result In speedy action along fed
eral aid lines This belief that 1913
will see the beginning of new ma.
tional roads policy Is strengthened by
the fact that the new president of the
United States has placed himself con.
vincingly on record in favor of fed
at