The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-02-21
SHALL THE UNITED STATES
BUILD HI6HWAYs7

surely forcing itself upon the National.
Legislature. Many Senators and Repre-
sentatives now believe that the building
of system Of National Highways is Of
more economic importance than any
other public work more vital than the
question of a large navy, more useful
than any liver and harbor improvement,
more necessary than the Panama Canal.
For Highways are built and owned by
the people and are free to all the people.
A few years ago road bills had short
shrift in Congressat present there are
nearly a hundred bills before Congress
dealing with road building 10 one form
or another
Although the good roads, idea has
been gathering force and Roadway for
many years. IT'S advocates are still pulling
in many directions. Some road associa-
lions want State Highways with National
Aid. Others want State Highways with
out National Aid. Still others want good
roads paid for by the counties through
which they pass. without any aid. One
at least, believes firmly that the question
is not only one for States. Counties, Cities
and Towns, but for the Nation.
The National Highways Association
believes that the beginning Of compre-
hensive good road system for the Nation
must be made by the Federal Govern
ment.
Such system-as outlined. consists of
fifty thousand miles Of National High
ways. It is universal experience that one
mile Of good road breeds another mile.
There are two million miles ofsroads 10
the United States. The fifty thousand
miles of highway shown on the map is
but fraction over two per cent Of this
mileage. But improve these fifty thou
sand miles into good roads. and keep
them good roads by proper maintenance,
and fifty thousand miles more would
grow almost over night, and then another
fifty thousand and another and another.
until our great country, with its huge
territory. would be crossed and recrossed
with good roads, as France is 10 day
Many idealists and dreamers have pro-
posed National Road Systems for this
country. Usually the system has been
worked out with map, ruler. pencil,
and sublime faith. Mountains. lakes,
rivers and forests form no obstacles to
such visionary road systems. The
National Highways System, is the pro-
duct Of no such dream. The highways
indicated are either the best present roads
from point to point, or what are, in the
judgment of trained and experienced
corps Of road engineers. the best possible
and practicable roads from point to point.
II is but suggestion. It is not intended
to be anything else. There must be be-
ginning TO everything, and little Roadway
can be made without some such careful
plan from which to start.
Remember that it is designed to connect
the States with each other tits intended
70 touch every large city, every State
Capital, and to bring closer together the
several parts of the country.
There are three classes OF highways,
Main. Trunk and Link. The Main Hfgh-
ways are six ia number. Northern. Gem
trail, Southern. Atlantic. Mississippi and
Pacific. These form the stayting point
and the basis of the system Next come
thirteen great Trunk linss, feeding and
crossing the Main Highways. and con-
Meeting the various sections Of the country
u more intimate relations. Finally come
fofty; Link Highways-smaller National
Highways making a gridiron Of the
whole system.
When this. or similar system of Ma
Glonal Highways is built--and built i,
surely will be some day--it win be by a
National Highways Commission. which
first locates and then builds. one or more
roads at time. learning as it builds.
When this huge amount Of money is
spent--as spent tits bound to bet will
be gradually and through an annual APP
preparation.
If yonshave any suggestions to make,
or criticisms to offer. the National High
ways Association would like to hear them.
The system as outlined in only be-
ginning--a suggestion. But if il appears
as beautiful dream. il is at least prac-
ticable. engineers dream. and dream
which-like that of de Lesseps and the
canals bound to come true some time.
The National Highways Association be-
lieves that the time when the dream be-
gins 10 come true is close at hand. It is
dream which vitality affects every man,
woman and child in the country-a
dream which. when il does come true ia
its entirety, will BE- found of more import
ance to our progress as Nation. to oul
wealth. TO our social and political lille and
10 our other dream Of absolute indepen.