Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-01-06
GOOD ROADS PROGRESS.
1912 Notable Year in That Re-
spect.

Oregon Statesman: The year 1912
was a notable one from the view
point of good roads enthusiasts in
many directions. 1t would be note
worthy if there we're nothing else
to record than the action of many
states in making liberal roads appro-
priations. New York tops the list
with the $50,OOO,OOO bond issue,
added to its previous appropriation
OF an equal amount. Pennsylvania
follows with a proposed $50, 900
appropriation which there is assur-
ance will be favorablySacted upon by
It's state legislature. In California
an $lS,OO0,0O0 bond issue is now
being expended. In Maine the $2,-
100000 bond issue has been author
lied, to be met by the automobile
fees. Smaller appropriations in 9TH
er states all point to a vast better
ment in road conditions in the next
few years. The defeat of the $780,
100000 bond issue in Ohio is the
only discouraging feature of the year,
and even this, say Ohio good roads
advocates, is certain tC Se reconsid-
cred in the near future,
OF the many conventions neId dur
ing the year, two are especla y note
worthy. The American Road Con-
gress at Atlantic. CITY, y. J.. brought
together road builders and road us
ers in enthusiastic cooperation.
Most important, however, was the
first federal aid good roads conver-
tion called by the american Auto
mobile Association and held in
Washington, ID. c., in January, and
out OF which have already come re-
suits far-reaching and which give
promise of greater things at no dis
tant day.
The federal aid convention formu-
lated the proposal for the appoint
ment of congressional committee
to investigate and reDort upon the
whole subject of federal partic,Ga-
tiOn in highway construction. The
resolution providing fer such a com
mission was adopted by congress, the
commission was appointed. and is
now at work. The federal all SEN
timent, already stroag in congress,
found further expression in the APP
preparation of 100000 for the i'm
provement of rural post roads, and
| the good roads enthusiasm stimu-
lated 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 ques
tion to be not one of whether the
government should spend nationa
funds upon roads, but as to the form
which such appropriations should
take.
On this point another noteworthy
event of the year was the action OF
the A. A. A. at its annual meeting
in placing itself squarely on record
as favoring the construction OF a sys-
TEN of national roads, and opposed
to the scattering and piecemeal dis
tribution OF government funds fol-
purely local highways, which work
properly devolves 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
information upon which to base its
report. All but one of the members
of the joint committee have either
been reelected to the house or their
continuance in the senate is assured.
The governors of all the states have
been called upon for detailed infor-
nation as to highway conditions in
their respective states, and informa-
ton is also being gathered from
highway departments and other
sources. AS a result of the sixty
third congress, when it comes into
existence on March 4, 1913, will
lave before it volume of infol ma
ton on the subject of good roads
never before available, and which
will be of vast service in formulat-
ing policy of federal aid.
The second federal aid convention,
to DE held in Washington simultane-
Ousiy with the beginning of the new
congress, will bring the organized
motorists, the farmers and the bust
ness men who will be represented
here into closer cooperation with
congress on this matter, and un'
doubtedly will result in speedy ac'
ton along federal aid lines. This
belief that 1913 will see the begin
ming of new national roads policy
is strengthened by the fact that the