The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-25

National participation in highways
progress Is q thing which commands
increasing attention. Former Presi-
dent Taft gave the subject prominence
in his current weekly lecture at Yale
university. and in voicing opposition
to the federal post roads had tho fol-
lowing to say:
The evils Of pork barrel legisla-
tom with the mad chase for good
roads money are largely caused by
pseudo reformers, inspired by a feel
ing that they want to take from those
who have and give to those who
haven't The same objection applies
to reclamation OF swamp lands by the
government whereby localities bene-
fit unduly at the expense OF the whole
people"
1T would appear That the former
head OF the nation has not given the
good roads question the thorough
consideration which 1t deserves" COM
ments Chairman George c. Diehl, Of
the A A. A. national good roads
board, "or he would not have so plain
ly invited reply to his conclusions
on matter which now 30 vitality con-
Germs the whole country.
The cooperation OF the federal
government In the construction OF
main highways should stand upon the
same basis as the improvement of
rivers and harbors. and drainage and
reclamation OF swamp lands. the irri-
CATION of arid lands, and the conser-
walton OF natural resources
There Is no more reason. when
modern traffic Is considered, for deep
ening the channel OF the Mississippi
river at public expense than for build
ing through highways across the States
leading to that stream. 1t is to be
=
for the improvement of rivers and
harbors is spent in an effort to benefit
commerce generally, instead OF simply
adding to the wealth and importance
OF local community, which Is GER
tainly one OF the results achieved.
THE reclamation Of arid lands and
the drainage OF great swamps would
seem to be Identical propositions. yet
some statesmen advocate the one and
condemn the other. From the broad
standpoint OF extending benefits to the
whole people at public expense It Is
dimcult to determine where any diff
ference can exist. In both cases local
communities in close proximity to the
reclaimed area receive the most direct
benefit. while the greater benefits ac-
cruing from greater and better pro-
duction, and the creation OF new val
ues reach throughout the entire coun-
lfy, anu HllLuuldte IHc QGt6lCpIn6NI OF
lesser operations in the same lines by
local authorities.
People living along a national road
might receive a more immediate bene-
fif than those who are more remote.
The existence OF the national road.
however, would stimulate the con-
struction Of feeders and connecting
roads As to taking from those who
have to give to those who have not
the history Of civilization Ia based on
that principle. money II taken from
all the people to build q harbor at
some out-of-the way point: a few
million dollars are spent to build .
dam and irrigation system in Ari-
IONA: the conservation Of forests and
water powers and other natural re-
sources in remote parts OF the coun-
try, is costing all the people hundreds
OF millions Of dollars annually.
I'm view Of these facts, and in view
OF the tremendous saving In money
and energy which always follows tho
construction Of good roads, how can
there be any question but that the
construction Of system Of great ma
tional highways connecting the large
centers Of population and the State
capitals, would benent the whole
country by the development Of tts pro-
ducing and marketing facilities7"