New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-07
MOTOR CAR BUILDERS
STUDY ROAD PROBLEM
Auto Chamber of Commerce
Places Permanently Ahead
of First Cost.
MACADAM is OUT OF DATE
Demand Is for Highways THAT
Will Last at Least as Long
as the Bonds Issued
for Them"

Permanent roads are advocated by the
motor car manufacturers OF the country
as a solution of the vexed problem OF
highway Improvement and maintenance.
Traffic conditions have changed rapidly in
the last decade AM Will continue 10
change until power-driven vehicles con-
stitute the predomnating traffic on the
public roads Already in Massachusetts
more than SO per cent of the traffic on the
state roads is self-propelled.
II is universally acknowledged that the
roads that have been built under the
principles laid down by Macadam a cen
turv ago. cannot stand the Increased vol
une and greater weights and speeds OF
the mixed traffic OF to-day. The cost OF
maintaining the present state roads
amounts 10 more than 500 a mile year
in the Bay State, and is increasing an
nually.
Motor car manufacturers believe that
the only way 60 prevent the upkeep Oh
roads from becoming an insupportaoie
burden Is TO cease at once the ouildine
OF roads that 90 10 pieces under the rat-
Nc and in their stead to construct roads
that will have real durability OF surface
az we'll as of foundation-roads In snort
that will last at east as long as the lie
NJ tho bonds issued 10 pay for them.
rbe Automobile Chamber Of Commerce
representing ninety-hVe leadlhg auloiiio
hue and motor truck manufacturers, has
taken Totice OF the situation ana mas
n,aced itself on record in this matter oy
4. aAVra-
the action OF its committees. The com
mercial vehicle committee, at a meeuhe
hid IN Cleveland on August 70, resolved
"tbat we realize thoroughly the necessity
~ ,rnnroyed road conditions ana
ha,ieve II IS advisable 10 adopt the con-
e.rrction that after thorough investiga-
,tor will give the greatest permanently
erst cost being Of lesser Importance
M, eentember the executive committee
ao,,ed unanimously the report OF the
GOOD roads committee. which embraced
the following declaration OF principles
outlining the ideas of the members OH lhe
subject Of road Improvement:
81. Highway construction is a sciehtihc
and engineering problem.
90 Proper location, grading ana Drain
a1e are first essentials Of any good road.
..s Highways should be OF character
directly suited 10 the kinds and volume OF
traffic using them. 1t is uneconomical ana
waste Of time and money to ouild roaos
pnsp,ted 10 the volume and character OF
traffic and OF short durability.
"a Road foundations. culverts. retain
ing walls and road base should have
dura bility equal 10 or exceeding the ire
~ bonds issued TO pay for the construc-
ton Of the roads.
"5 when appropriations are MADE Tor
,oad Improvement suitable and sufncien'
nro,,ision should be made for maintenance
., the improved roads during the Ire OF
.h. bonds issued TO pay for them
"s Volume OF traffic and kinds speed
a,A Weights. with loads, Of vehicles using
the roads should be ascertaineo before
bepinning the construction OF state roan
s., tokIng a traffic census, and the rate OF
,,,or.ase and change of character should
be calculated well into the future ~.
a. Construction or reconstruction OF ali
main through roads between important
trade centres, state capitals ana centres
:, largo population (hfty thousand ana
ovar). not more than one huhureu "'i'e'
apsrt should be Of permanent cha'a',ei =
"s Roads which sustain considerable
,,o,n,os of mixed horse and motor venice
,raf1c should have surface tha' WI
,,oi under such traffic that VIII
not become dusty by wear ana 'ne e"'0'S
OF weather, that will be impersious -
water and will not be loosened py i'oS'
20. Until such time as traffic over suY,
sidiary roads and relatively httle useu
country roads warrants improVe ,ll',,a
win permanent construction, they s s'.,n.
he maintained i'm serviceable cohoi..I,
for the traffic using them by reiauseE
inexpensive methods, such as drass'ns
or by the application OF gravel sah''
clay, shells, etc.