The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-09-30
Houston Tells of
Federal Aid To Road.

The conservative. efhcient course
which the United States government
intends to pursue In the matter Of
road-building. was outlined to the
American Road congress. Monday A.
ternoon. by David r. Houston. sscre-
tary Of agriculture, who indicated
that government aid would come to
the states only In proportion to the
amount they themselves contribute to
the good roads movement, and then
only for roads over which the fed.
eral department Of agriculture would
assume control. @t
In the case of roads ON which fed.
eral money II to be- expended" he
said. 1T would seem essential and
wise that the federal agency should
have the requisite power Of the ap-
prevail Of the selection. supervision
Of the construction and maintenance,
and the right Of inspection. for the
plain. simple, ordinary purpose OF
seeing that the federal money II ap-
piled to the purpose for which It was
voted, and 10 efnciently expended"
He proposed that the government
SvANAOus0 W IOSo-UuuuluB III TIC
ratio Of one to two-givins $1,000 for
every $4,000 supplied by the state.
A. w. Campbell. deputy minister of
railways and canals OF the Dominion
Of Canada. said that the Dominion
would always be represented at An
American road congress, because the
road problems Of the two nations are
similar.
Col. William d. Sohier. chairman OF
the Massachusetts, highway commits
sion, told of the magnificent high way
system OF France and the less id.
mirable roads Of England.
I'VE might establish 40 nne q avs
tenn ~ that OF France II we could
spend $4,000 . mile for 1000, 1000
miles OF road" he said. ut nay
sound like small sum. but count the
ciphers."
Frank w. Buffum. state highvay
commissioner of Missouri, told OF the
steps which his state has taken 20
establish . good highway system.
His talk was especially interesting to
the delegates from the middle west.
where the mud IL deep, and many
questions were fired 1t him.
At the close Of the session, . recerh
ton to the prominent ofacials present
was given by the Board OF Commerce
Although Secretary Houston: who
was to have been stellar attraction
at the banquet In the hotel ponchar
train. Monday night, was unable 10
be present, the affair passed OF most
successfully. A. w. Campbell. Who
represents Canada In the rood roads
congress; was the speaker OF the
evening, and his remarks were re-
ceived with applause By the banquet
ers.
II trust that in the future. the
two great people on this continent
may be bound even more closely to-
gether by a system of internat ionsl
roads," said Mr.. Campbell.
The speaker pointed out that the
problem Of securing good Highways
70 largely one Of proper maintenance.
after Improvements have BEEN COM
pletsd.
Mr.. Campbell was followed By
Mayor Marx. who expressed his
pleasure at the selection of Detroit q
the convention city.
DR.. J. o. Reaume, Of Windsor,
minister Of public works for the
province Of Ontario. concurred with
Mr.. Campbell's remarks, and re-
ferrsd to Campbell a the father Of
the Canadian good roads movement.
Other speakers were: Judge Ro-
land Baggot. Of Dayton, and George
%. Diehl, chairman Of the good roads
board Of the American Automoblls
association. Geo. +. Moody, former
|oresident of the Board OF CommePco.