Evening star., 1914-06-07

y federal road legislation it is
practical certainty that the
national government will recognize
the state as the smallest unit
with which it will deal. When
the Senate post offices and post roads
committees reports the measure which
came from the House. it is predicted
that the so-called roads rental clause will
I've missing and that whatever money is
appropriated after division among the
several states will he expended on what
ever roads the governor and the Secre-
tary of Agriculture may decide.
Through its Yational good roads board
the American Automobile Association has
greatly concerned itself with the high
ways question, approached from a ma
tional standpoint and Chairman George
c. Diehl comments thusly on the present
situation:
The basis of apportionment of federal
appropriations to the respective states IS
a matter upon which there is very little
disagreement, and it is probable that
population area and post road mileage
will be the factors finally adopted for
determining the proportion of federal
money TO which each state will be en-
titled.
FINALLY. our solons will probably begin
appropriation. probably not to exceed
S5.uOr.o1 This sum. together with an
equal amount TO he provided by the
states. will involve an expenditure OF
Slu.OUu.opr during the frsC years opera
ton To start with a modest approprla-
tion and increase it as conditions warrant
would he to insure the success of the
policy from the outset.
The question which has threatened to
become the rock upon which the federal
IL SyNlI
of federal inspection. There are lesls-
lators who stand aehast at the possibility
of another great federal bureau growing
to such proportions as to cast its shadow
upon local autonomy They profess 10
see the crumbing of states rights. the
sitting of local initiative and endeavor
and the growth of a political machine
Ii federal inspection involved these con-
sequences. it would be dangerous and
highly undesirable policy As matter OF
fact federal inspection. under reasonable
legislative restriction. involves no menace
whatever to local liberties.
THE weight of precedent. and the COM
mon sense of Congress are sufficiently
powerful to make certain the inclusion IN
any federal-ad bill that may be passed
of an adequate amount of government
supervision.
Federal revenues come from all of the
states. and the right of a state to do as
it pleases with its own property does not
peases with property that comes from all
of the states. To say that federal IN
spection of work for which the federal
government pays portion OF the cost is
either unwarranted or unwise is to sa!
that the federal government should from
wear to wear make appropriations 1or
specific purposes and yet take no steps
whatever to ascertain whether the money
Is applied to such purposes.
The contention that federal AID unoeF
of fadp inSnpPtIOn
local self-help is not borne out by eA-
periences in the respective states where
an analogous plan has been in effect Tor
some wears between states and counties.
In 1904 the total expenditure on pubic
roads throughout the United states
amounted to SSU00O.05O. In 1913 the total
expenditure aggregated about SssS,ooe",
and this in spite of the fact that state
participation i'll road work mas mad us
spirit of greatest development since 1874,
and that the total expenditure of state
funds up to and including the year 1915
amounted to about S1oo,o0o,"o