The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-28
YEAR CLOSING
PROGRESSIVE
IN GOOD ROADS
New York Tops List of States
That Have Made APP
preparations
TWO CONVENTIONS OF
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 I'D
erl roads appropriations. New YORK
tops the list with the $50,0O0,O0O bond
issue. added TO its previous appropria-
ton OF an equal amount PennsyE
vania follows with a proposed $780,
100000 appropriation which there is
assurance will be favorably acted up
on by it's state legislature. In Call
fornia. an slS,000,000 bond issue Is
now being expended; In Maine, the
100000 bond issue has been author
ICED. to be met by the automobile
fees; smaller appropriations In other
states, all point TO a vast betterment
In road conditions In the next few
years. The defeat of the s50,00e,eee
bond issue In Ohio is the only discour-
aging feature of the year, and even
this. say Ohio good roads advocates,
Is certain to be reconsidered In the
near future.
or the many conventions held dur
ing the year, two are especially note
worthy. The American Road Congress
at Atlantic City, N. j., brought to-
gether road builders and road users
in enthusiastic cooperation. Most i'm
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
January, and out OF which have 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 a 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
hn 81 lon ~
the A. A. A. at its annual meeting In
placing itself squarely on record as
favoring the construction Of 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 its 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 " assured.
The governors or all the states nave
been called upon for detailed infor'
nation as TO highway conditions In
their respective states, and inforrla-
ton is also being gathered from high
way departments and other sources.
Aa a result the sixty-third congress,
when II comes into existence on March
a. 1918, will have before II volume al
information on the subject OF good
roads never before available and
which will be Of vast service in 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 I'm speedy action along fed
oral aid lines. This belief that 1913
will see the beginning OF new ma
tIonal roads policy Is strengthened by
the fact that the rr- president OF the
limited States has placed himself con
yincingly on record in favor OF fed