New Ulm review., 1913-02-12
Washington Letter
BY s. NJ. Ladd,

been viewing with amazement an
deep interest bill recently intro
duced by Congressman Hobson %
Alabama, which in its Utopian scop
and purpose far outrivals any schem
heretofore presented for the ameli
grafton and general uplift of man
kind. Whether the measure in ques
tion Is designed to hasten the mil
lennium, or merely serve as an en-
tering wedge, it is not stated. Mr.
Hobson who has been besieged Will
a multitude of pertinent questions
from anxious and inquiring col
leagues explains that the bill is moi
the product of his brain, but was
introduced by him ''by request"
The object of this modest piece OF
legislation, which is elaborately work
ed out in a bill Of ninety sections
covering ffty-one pages. appears on
its face to be to construct two ma.
tional auto-highways, one running
east and west, connecting the At.
lantic and Pacific oceans, and the
other north and south, from the
northern boundary of Minnesota to
the Gulf of Mexico. A very COM
mendable undertaking, you will say.
A careful reading of the text con-
vinces one that the author Of the
measure has projected deep.laid
scheme for the complete ameIora.
tion of the people residing within
the confines Of Uncle Sans domains,
and that the auto-highways consti-
tute but small part Of the general
plan.
The main purpose Of the auto-high-
ways, to use the language Of the bill,
shall be to secure homes and safety
midst quiet. clean. secure and invit-
ing environment for men, women
and children" and therefore,, AL
domestic animals and fowls ara pro-
hibited from all places and thorough.
fares. except on the wagon roads and.
under strict conditions, in. the for.
est sections" In short. it appears
that the national highways are to
be the main arteries for communi.
ties Of human beings, who can pur.
sue the ideal life under the most
favored conditions, with all danger
of distracting noises eliminated from
this paradise.
The details of the bill are worked
out beautifully. The right of way
for the auto-highway shall be one
mile wide, but the highway proper
is to be one thousand. four hundred
and thirty feet in width. Within
this zone provision is amply made
for a number of modern roadways to
accommodate the several kinds of
traffic including automobiles, wagons
Of various descriptions, carriages,
trucks, electric cars for pas
senger and freight, bicycles, motor.
cycles, tricycles and other cycles,
roller skates, motor skates, and,
quoting the language of the bill,
"and 50 FORTH" Delving still deeper
into the mysteries of the zone belt.
you discover that provision is we'll
made for the setting aside OF two
continuous tracts for water, gas, sew.
er and oil pipes, as we'll as for elec-
trio wires and cables. to say moth
ing OF pneumatic tubes for small
cars, parcels land so forth" Six
zones, each one hundred feet wide
are to be reserved for factories, pub
lie buildings and dwellings. The
civic improvement enthusiasts will
find everything to commend in the :
provision for two park zones, each
one hundred feet wide, from ocean
to ocean. four lawn and flower zones,
twenty feet wide, and sixteen shade
tree zones. 1t is needless to say
the park system alone will require
not little labor and supervision
This task is allotted for the most
part to women supervisors and COM
who will be scattered
along the right of way at regular
intervals.
The accomplishment of the entire
project is intrusted to a commission,
but owing to the fact that the bur.
lens and responsibilities of this body
nay become irksome the president
If the commission is empowered to
appoint ten committees, which are
luly authorized to look after few
If the minor affairs of the high
zone, as follows:
committee number 1; administration,
aw, rule, contract, lease, rent, toll,
inc, "and so forth" Committee
lumber 2: engineering, construc-
ion, architecture, and fine arts. Com.
nittee number 3: promotion, recep-
ion, settlement, occupation. Com
nittee number 4: banking, insur.
nee. collection, disbursement, and
ccount. Committee number 5:
manufacture and the diversifications
nd perfections of industry. Com
nittee number 6: supplies, water,
lectricity, gas, grain, cotton, wool,
aper, coal, iron. copper, lead, oil,
alt, matches, tobacco. sugar. rice.
&c, lumber. milk. "and so forth"
Committee number Z will have di-
ect supervision over etiquette, en- ,
and ethical instruction, 8
the chairman will be a woman),
'hile committee number will look
fter farming, forestry, fish and game
ulture. Committee number 8 will
e on the transportation job, and