The Detroit times., 1913-02-22
MODERN CARS
DEFY WORST
BUILT ROADS
Yet That Is No Excuse for Not
Improving the High
ways Here
WANT FEDERAL MONEY
TO AID IN BUILDING
However, the States and Smaller
Units Should Not BE
Forgotten

Good roads everywhere is what
the automobilists are striving for and
their organized efforts encompass the
Improvement OF the country and town
hip roads az we'll as the more travel
ed highways" states Laurens Enos,
president OF the American Automobile
association. which nationwide body
~ roadusers is accelerating the
movement most substantially through
its 500 clubs scattered all over the
country.
"A motor-driven vehicle nowadays
can challenge roads not deserving OF
he name" comments Mr.. Enos, "and
so II is that in the development OF
country life the autOist requires much
10 discourage him in his goings into
the by-ways, which like the other
avenues OF communication, demand
consideration In proportion TO their
growing use. II Is our belief that the
betterment OF these roads properly
devolves upon the township, with
we'll defined cooperation from the
state through a highways department
which also has 10 do with the county
roads, In conjunction with the county
authorities.
DuI III bCChlhB INC tlIlpdNlOb
OF the Federal government in roads
progress we cannot bring ourselves
10 believe that National aid means a
donation OF National funds for local
purposes.
ITO ask the National government
to do that which properly devolves
upon the local community Is basically
wrong and untenable. Our govern
Nu nN 80 ,VtN hA
source to which the community
should appeal Is the state, which IN
turn should go TO the federal fountain
mead for cooperation along lines
which are interstate and otherwise
sufficiently general to justify the EN-
ployment OF National funds. But TO
call upon the National government
10 deal with local units direct, and
ignoring the state government. Is
procedure contrary to constitutional
rights and common sense"
In his address at the American
Road congress at Atlantic City, ~ p.
Hull, the lecturer OF the National
Grange, in closing, gave utterance to
his sentiment Il call upon the
American Automobile association,
with the men who are striving, as
-
mately and fairly striving, to build
transcontinental highways, improved
highways II you please. TO keep in
mind while you are studying this
question and using your efforts to
build those great highways connect
ing the cities OF the country, that you
will not forget the necessity 10 you
and 10 me, the necessity TO this great
NJ In 10
need OF improving the common coun-
try highways, from the home OF the
man at the other end OF the bad road
10 the city, that you may be better
of, and that the farm people OF the
Ulited States may be better of,
Commenting upon Mr.. HulPs per
tinent summation OF the roads pro-
blem, Chairman George C. Diehl OF
he National Good Roads board. has
his opinion TO express: III the ma
ion helps the state along proper
lines then the state In turn can help
the counties and townships. To bring
about the adoption of an equitable
plan which shall commend itself is
the sole motive which has actuated
the A. A. A. In calling the series OF
Federal Aid conventions in Washing
lOl, IL ~ TIC HtNOuu VI NhlNh " III
take place at The Raleigh March 6
and Z with a very representative at
tendance assured
indicating clearly the progressive
thought which the National Grange
officers are giving to the question or
highways is the following from the
annual report of state grange master
J. Arthur Sherwood. OF Connecticut.
The grange is, and should be, the
hampton OF good roads. The increas-
ing number OF motor vehicles upon
our highways present problem diff
flcult OF solution The legitimate de
mand OF automobile traffic must be
met. Stretches of road here and there
are pleasing. but the continuous mile
age is what the farmer az we'll as the
motorist desires. believe that con
tinuation OF our presen policy In Con-
uecticut will insure this in due time
Chairman &. 5. Stetson OF the Ma
tional grarge executive committee il
prominent in the list of speakers for
the forthcoming Federal Aid conyen.