The Detroit times., 1913-06-16
HEAD OF A. A "A.
IS STRONG FOR
NATIONAL ROAD
Laurens En0s Says 1t Would
Make Country a Bigger and
Better Nation
WOULD CARRY LARGE
AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC
large Areas of Our Western
Country Would BE Opened
to Settlement

"The National road Is one thing
eeded to make this country bigger
nd better and greater nation" is the
assertion put forward by Laurens
cnos. president Of the American Auto
Mobile association, and head OF the
Rrgest organized BODY Of road users
the world.
"A vast amount OF misinformation
GEMS to exist regarding the useful
ess OF a national highway system.
Primarily. 1t must be understood that
very road entering into system or
ational roads would be the main
horoughfare between centers OF pop
lation and interest. and on that basis
lone would be subject to heavy
raflc. Further. 1t Is a well known
act that the principal road between
Important centers runs through the
most thoroughly developed section OF
country within that regio, with the
most populous and progressive small
n cities and villages and the most
horoughly cultivated farming sections.
Mature has fixed the locations OF
most large cities; and almost invar-
ably. In this country at least, II will
pc found that the richest and most
prosperous communities lie along the
bath Of the most direct communica-
lon between them. The construction
4 q national road system, thereforo,
would. In its through traffic feature6
accommodate a public from a wide
Pelt OF country through which the
Dads would run.
In Its local traffic features the
rational road would serve all the pur-
poses Of local road. Passing as 1t
would through the most populous Sec
IONS. 1t would carry a larger amount
Pf local trafflc than roads located
Where there existed less prosperity
IND less advantages. The interurban
ravel would reach its highest devel-
Ppment. both between the smaller
fities and the termini. and among the
bmAller cities themselves. With such
system. crossing every state In the
lnion and reaching all important
cites. It Is not extravagant to assume
that at least half the people OF the
country would be directly served,
with benefits to the other half, while
Indirect, none the less pronounced
There are still some people who
assume to believe that national roads
|are sought for the sole benefit OF a
Few automobile tourists. ouch have
hot kept track OF the commercial de-
|velopment Of the age. II Is true that
long distance traffic on through routes
10 motor driven. With horse traffic
limited to 40 or SO miles a day, travel
srs for business or pleasure naturally
utilize the conveyance which will take
them 300 or 400 miles. The motor car
is often used instead Of the railroad
train for two reasons-it Is not con-
lined to time schedules; and 1t takes
bpe where he wants to go. Traffic
originates OF as well as on the main
Road. many getting to the through
road by the nearest route. Further
more, the commercial aspect OF the
fraf1c OF through routes Is rapidly as
burning greater proportions.
National roads would open up to
greater settlement and greater pro-
huctivity large areas Of our western
where there are now no means
pf transportation, where the states are
FOO poor to build roads, and where To-
cal communities have no means OF
products. With greater pop
ulation and production. markets would
be created for the output OF the fac
tories Of the manufacturing centers.
The development and increase I'm pro-
duction creates general increase in
In intelligence. and in CIV
flixation.
with a national road system built
70 Withstand heavy traffic, values
would increase and many more states
would be able to extend their state
oyDtems and aid road building in
counties and lesser divisions, which
IN turn would increase values, indus
tries, and production"