Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-11

from the crude restricting laws OF
more primitive times
The Congressional Committee.
at was also my privilege while in
Washington, TO be present at the in
itial meeting OF the newly appointed
congressional good roads committee
Of which the Hon. Dorsey W. Shackle-
ford of Missouri is chairman. Hon.
[ Clyde II. Tavenner, who is represent
I ing this congressional district, is
member OF this committee, and he is
/ taking q very active interest in the
/ question of good roads. All bills per-
I tanning TO the betterment and main
I tenance of highways are now referred
to this committee which meets daily
at 1000 a m. During this initial
/ session several road bills recently in
Z troduced in the house were read TO the
committee as a whole for considera-
ton. One OF these bills was intro
duced by Chairman Shackelford him
self. He has devoted years of study
10 the question OF federal aid for the
systematic purpose of improving and
maintaining wagon roads in all parts
OF the United States. Chairman
Shackleford's new bill is an enlarge
ment OF his original plan for federal
aid maintenance of good roads. The
aim and purpose OF the measure now
being considered does not contem-
plate any actual construction OF roads
with government money. II simply
and comprehensively increases the
amount OF federal aid per mile with
the view of encouraging the most serv-
iceable types OF country wagon roads |
For the purpose of practically APP
plying this federal aid. the roads OF
the country have been divided into /
three classes. in harmony with specifi- |
cations established by the federal Of |
fee OF good roads.
Classes Of Roads.
Glass A roads are those of the high
est type. In this class unusually stiff
grades are eliminated. The roads must
be we'll drained and the roadbed must
a. least come up to the established
standard OF well kept macadsm roads.
For this type of road or a better type
the federal government is TO allow an
annual maintenance aid OF $50 per
mile
Glass roads are cheaper in con-
stTuctiOn. They must be we'll drained
and the grades must be made as easy
as typographical cor 1itions will permit
The road surface must be OF gravel or
O. some other material of equal utility
and cost. For such roads the federal
government is 10 provide an annual
aid of $50 per mile.
Glass covers ordinary dragged
country roads. The specifications re-
qui-e easy grades, ample side bitches.
a water shedding surface, which must
be kept continually crowned and com
pacted by dragging or other approved
means.
The roads must be kept smooth
and passabIe for vehicles at all sea
sons. For such roads the federal gov
eminent will allow an annual mainten-
aEce aid of SIS pei mile. This is the
clsss of country road contemplated in
the original Shackleford bill.
Federal Aid Policy.
The whole purpose of the new bill
is TO establish a general federal aid
policy OF announcements OF road con-
struction- Twenty million dollars is
asked 10 he appropriated for this pur-
pose. the first year. Each state shar-
ing according TO its proportion of the
total mileage OF the country. The bill
further provides for cooperation be
tween states and the federal govern
nent in determining the road types
and mileage and it further provides
against pork barrel public evils OF the
past. There is TO be no government
,ounty for unimproved roads.
AT the present time there are many
rood roads organizations being formed I
n all parts OF the country. Many of
hem are like mushrooms. They spring
Ip over night and as suddenly disap-
,ear so far as tangible results are :
oncerned. The good feature about .,
hem, however. lies in the fact that :,
hey are habit formations. When the
abit once becomes crystaiized and 7,
irmly established then these hot air r
plants will take root in -
God public service soil
Good road organizations are like
Their forms OF organic life. They are
reations in the human kingdom the OF
anne as various forms of plant life a.
re creations in the vegetable king e
ON. and they are subject TO the same in
UNIVERSAL law of growth and develop az
rent They must be intelligently cul- in
waited and husbanded otherwise they "
i'll be non-productive. All forms of ie
liant life are largely dependent upon III
cunteous rains for their sustenance of
ad growth Under the same natural tn
~ all forms OF organized human in III
.itutional plant life are propagated." m
Mr.. Woodcock suggested coopera- al
on with the Lincoln Highway COM ia
ission. the requirement OF perma- ca
snt headquarters. a comprehensive 81
lrvey of the roads and highways OF ex
ie county and the leasing OF perm.- ca
ent AID suitable headquarters and an
-oposed the People Trust and Saw ~