El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-08
AUTO GREAT AID
TO GOOD ROADS
United States to Help Build Better
ROads-POstOffiee Department
Takes the First Steps
Washington, D. C., Feb. sind

Washington, d. C., Feb. S.-Indica-
tons are that Uncle Sam is on the eve
Of huge expenditures for the purpose
of establishing a comprehensive sys-
TEN of good roads in this country.
The probabilities are that before the
end is reached, this will mean a bond
issue But on the other hand il the
believers in good roads are correct the
benefits of the good roads policy to
transportation will be tremendous.
All over the country rises up the
clamOr for better roads. In many re-
Spects, after the lapse of 1000 years.
the United States is behind the old
Romans in respect of good road making
and good roads. But now, an actual
start has been made in the direction Of
federal aid, and inasmuch as it is the
history of the federal legislation and
federal activities that once they are
begun they grow rather than diminish
1t may be expected that congress in the
near future will appropriate heavily
for road purposes
That the automobile has done much
to stir up and organize the demand
for good roads in this country cannot
be doubted. While the automobile is
destructive of good roads, it has caused
great numbers of people to become in
terested in the subject of better high
ways. Tens of thousands of people who
have never before given a thought to
roads have had their attention directed
to them by the use of the automobile.
lows half a million dollars to be ex-
pended under the direction of the post
master general and the secretary Of
agriculture in improving the roads over
which rural delivery is carried on or
over which routes may be established.
This half million is additional to All
appropriation Of $4,000 for a Joint
committee of the two houses to inquire
into federal aid to good roads and re-
port at the earliest date practicable
Already the work is being planned,
under the half million dollar apprOpria-
ton.
Each state will get about 10000. OF
this $4,000 viii be at once allotted to
each state. while about $4,000 will be
kept back to be used as a maintenance
fund.
It is expected the $4,000 will be used
to put one or two post roads in the
best OF condition 1t is not for the
purpose to actually build new roads.
but to see how far the money will go
in putting existing roads in the prime
of condition.
The states are requested. in order TO
get the use Of the government money,
to allow twice the sum allowed by the
government. In other words, the eN-
penditure by the government Of IS, 600
in a state to improve the post roads
will mean, in reality, that So, 1000 is ex-
pended for that purpose. This viii
make it possible to improve a consider
able stretch Of road in each state in
the union.
That the 63rd congress Of the United
States will devote much time and at
rentiOn to the establishment OF a Ma
tional policy Of road building Is IN
questioned. What the policy will be !
is yet TO be determined Having in
mind the establishment OF a safe and |
sane policy of highway construction,
he second Federal Aid Good Roads |
has been called by the
American Automobile association 10 /
meet in Washington, D. C, March 6 and I
I. primarily to concentrate the thought /
md crystalline the good roads senti- 4
nent of the country at large along !
practicable and equitable lines Of fed 4
raj participation in roads building.
Every state will have official repre-
entatiOn through a delegation named
y its governor