Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1913-10-11

seem to be to recognize the States as
the smallest unit with winch the red
eral government might ueaI / ms
would give relief IN measure from
the insiStent demand that would
come from every township and every
district in the Union Tor its share of
State or Federal assistance, without
reference to the merits OF the case or
the practicability OF the undertaking
AS has been stated, many of the States
now have efficient highway depart
mems. and thus afford organized agen-
cies with which the Federal ONCE
could deal 1t would seem that the
basic feature would be such coop
Grafton between the States and the
Federal government as would leave
with the States the initiative in the
selection of roads to receive aid, and
as much of the immediate construc-
ton and maintenance as would be
practicable In the case of roads on
which Federal monev is to be expend-
ed it would seem essential and wise
that the Federal agency should have
the requisite power of the approval
of the selection, supervision of the
construction and maintenance. and
the right of inspection, for the plain
and simple ordinary purpose of see
ing that the Federal money is ap-
piled to the purpose for which it was
voted and is efficiently expended
1t is reasonably clear that for ev-
cry reason there must be some auto
matte check upon the demands to be
made upon Congress and that this
should be afforded through the re-
quiremcnts that the States and the
localities should contribute an amount
both for construction and mainte
nance at least equal to and possibly
double that the contributed by the
Federal government; and that. in the
apportionment of any possible Fed
eral funds number of basic factors
such as population, area, wealth, or
minimum cost of construction, should
control. | have not the least doubt.
There may be those who will view
with alarm" any suggestion that the
Federal government cooperate with
the States financially in road build
ing and more especially that it exer
else any adequate measure OF control
and supervision even over the ex
penditure of its own funds. The cry
of centralization-that the Federal
government aims unduly to extend its
powers may again be raised Yet. in
field of common interest and of
inseperable activities what could be
more natural than cooperation and
mutual assistance Why should the
two jurisdictions serving the same
people forever stand apart and view
each other with suspicion and dis
trust while nothing is done or much
is wasted? And is it not worthy OF
note that the alarm never seizes such
neople at the stage of the discussion
in which it would be of most value
They are not in the least timid in
their approaches to the Federal treas
urv and their courage fails them only
when il is suggested that the Federal
government has right to see that
the money of the people of the nation
is wisely and efficiently expended If
they are TO take counsel of their
alarms let them do so before they de
termine to assault the treasury.
In short, as practical program.
believe that this matter is one in
which haste can best be made slowly
The people will sanction a reasona-
Bile expenditure OF their money-and
it is their money, and theirs only.
whether it be expended through the
Federal government or the State
when they are convinced that it is
appl' ed to wise purpose and will
yield the results anticipated And
am impressed by the wisdom of the
action of Congress. in the midst OF so
much clamor, i'll constituting a com
mittee ito make inquiry into the sub
ject of Federal aid in the construc-
ton of post roads," in providing an
appropriation OF half million dol
lars to be expended comparatively
with the States in the proportion OF
one to two. and in requiring the Sec
rotary of Agriculture and the Post
master General to report to Congress
the results of such expenditures to
gether with such recommendations as
shall seem wise for providing gen
cral olan of national aid for the i'm
provement of postal roads in coop
Grating with the States and counties.
and to bring about as nearly as posi-
Bile such cooperation among the vari-
Gus States as will insure uniform and
equitable interstate highway regula-
tons" This indicates a wholesome
desire to know the facts as well as a
generous interest. Too short a time
has elapsed to judge of the value of
this undertaking. but that it is in the
right direction few will question. That
it might be extended with ample
funds if aid is to be furnished most
thoughtful men would concede; and
the plan has the peculiar valve of
being susceptible of indefinite extern
sion in case the results should be