The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-05


and Interstate, sre q natural sequence
3n the astonishing multiplication OF
highways travel. In the mass or cor
responaence which Chairman George
4. Dfehl, Of the A. A. a. national good
roads board Is receiving In connection
with the federal aid good roads con-
venLsA 10 take place in Washington
u. c.. March eth and 9TH, there are
many letters which indicate nation
wide recognition " this fact in the
progress OF the movement all over ths
country.
state Highway Commissioner So
hieF, of Massachusetts, State wncre~
In roads construction and maintenance
have been reduced TO a science. FRANK
lv confesses that he is very much in
tarested IN the federal aid subject, par
ticulariy in how fhe money should he
spent Commissioner Sohier contends
that II ia absolutely essential That
tia money should be spent upon
small enough number Of roads so that
there Will be sufficient money avalia-
bile TO make the expenditure show for
something and be worth something, not
only for one year. but for reasona
hla series oe years" Referring TO tho
roads which would come under the
head OF National to pa improved.
constructed or maintained, the com
missioner believes that The work
should be under control Of a represen-
tative OF the national government, and
ID representative from the State. sucn
selection Of roads to be safeguarded
from any sennblance OF the pork bar
rel" proposition.
State Engineer Lea, Of South Dako-
Ia. State In which the roads question
IL OF comparatively recent agitation,
makes this pertinent comment: we
are making special efforts toward the
establishment Of trunk line roads
across the State. II is expected that
later on tributary roads Will be built
70 the trunk roads. thus providing a
complete road system for the state.
We are advancing IN South Dakota
because Of the better understanding by
the farmers Of the roads question. The
problem OF the relation between fed
eraf aid and the work that Ia being
done by the States themselves would
be answered by having harmonious
cooperation between federal and state
departmental
IT liz no longer debatable that the
million users of the motor driven vehi~
ole throughout the country are respon-
sfbie tor adm a. new factor In the
problem of transportation. and the
necessity for improved roads. White
she use Of automobiles has widened
the area Of travel, in many sections
local travel for the most part Is stu
drawn by horse. This traffic reVoiu-
ton makes necessary 81 new basis OF
computation for apporttoning the ex-
.,snse Of the necessary Improvement
Of the highways. Chairman Diehl sum
y1,arixes the situation In these WORDS:
There are certain main roads III
every community leading 10 county
seats, and very popuious centers, thf
cost os which II would be unjust eS
fay npon townships. for the usefulness
s,e these roads under the new condi'
stous includes the county as q whole
consequently each township, and Incl
sfen,ally each property owner, sNo0ic
only paw his proper share in the I'm
provegnent Of this class Of highways
The wider area Of travel makes neces'
eary the opening OF improved high
ways between county seats leading tf
populous centers, and important mar
r. keting points
'eThe same relation which exists be-
tween the town and county, and be-
tween the county and State tn the i'm
movement Of certain classes OF high'
ways, should exist between each stats
and the federal government. Highways
Of an interstate character. those lead
sng from the capital of one state Il
ths capital ~ another; those trune
Tines Teadip9 To great centers or popuT
20 popular resorts; In fact any high'
xxav The mater portion Of the mileage
travel over which originates outside
the state, should properly ne con
atructed at the expense OF the fed
~raI government"
New Points in Constitution.
Just because automobiles have
reached their present state OF perfec-
ton does not mean that 1913 models
will not snow many new features ol
construction. On the contrary motor
enthusiasts will see many points new
and Interesting IN this seasons Of
ferlng Practically without exception
every manufacturer has something
novel to offer either In the way Of
AIDED equipment---a feature OF the 1913
produet--or lese some important
change in cons ructton calculated to
render easier and smoother action OF
his ears.
Bodies for Instance. are larger and
roognier this year than ever before.
More Ihan eyer II the coupe In. evil
" s.t~satsa. SEVERE, pf01aEiIea&t Fa4tlhfsles
t0r@rs who eT@f before hAHe listed
coupe models have added them for
the iirst time this year and the In
crease IN production Of these handy
Nttle "all weather" vehicles presages
their widespread use.
Roaaters also are In favor and one
manufacturer has combined the coupe
and the roadster in q manner never
before attempted. The body, with the
coupe past removed, may be used "a
an attractive torpedo type roadster.
sg!tn the top in place there is nothing
70 indicate that it is removable
The popularity " left drive with
centrally located central levers is in
creasing Few manufacturers of the
newer crop have designed their We
nicles 10 be driven from the right side.
and the man ufacturers Of older and
better known cars from the cheapest
10 the most expensive gradually are
adopting left drive. The object Of tho
change from orthodox construction 10
10 permit easter entrance and exit TO
the drivers seat To make even more
prominent this feature several manu-
tacturers have placed their gear shift
levers between the two front seats,
wher they are entirely out OF the way,
10 appreciation Of the fact that not
everybody likes the left hand position
OF the sterling wheel several cars are
now ftted SO that the option OF either
position may be given.
Another failure which Ia brand new