Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-11-11
STEELE ADVANCES
TRAFFIC LAW IDEA
Universal Regulations Would
Master Situation of Motor
Car Driving, Says Sioux
City Congressman.

Washington. d. c.. Nov. 11.-Repre-
sentative Tom Steele, in an interview
) Yesterday, said that after q motor trip
in the east en- route from Iowa to
Washington he was unable to find hard
times. He comes out for uniformity in
motor traffic laws, favored reasonable
preparedness, urged road building and
rural credits.
Mr. Steele said: Il heard much of
preparedness in the cross country trip.
The middle western sentiment, as
gathered it, seemed to favor adequate
expenditures in the cause of national
defense, but was more modes. in de-
demands for large expenditures than
is the case in New York and other
states"
No "Wet Nurse" Program.
II favor a program Of preparedness,
but do not believe that congress
should assume the role of wet nurse
for the Wall street war babies. l should
like to see the government manufacture
its own munitions. thus removing one
possible source of waste. while also re-
ducing costs. War preparations should
not in my opinion stop, with battle
ships and ammunition factories.
"The nation. surfeited with money,
could at this time finance for individual
would fit in with the needs Of the times
and the ''perils" we hear much of.
Hoboes Could Help Roado.
Last winter the middle west was
flooded with men who claimed to be
seeking work. These floating laborers
could with profit be used in the devel-
opment OF continental highways. Some
source of employment should be opened
to them after the harvest times. be-
cause they are a menace to communi-
ties that house them for the winter, and
their period of rest creates an econom-
ic drain for the country in general
Many of the states have developed
short sections OF hard surfaced roads
/ with national loans arranged on easy
money terms; the gold and the men OF
the country could be kept at work.
No Hard iowa Times.
Il hope to see the present congress
establish a rural credits law. 1t is i
necessity for many communities, al
thought would hardly deem 1t a need
Of the country through which passed
we have heard a lot in the west dur
ing the past year about hard times
We have heard Of bread lines and poll
tics. of iobless men and politics. but in
Iowa we have not known these conditi-
tions and for that reason when ! was
prepared to start for Washington.
decided to make 1t a motor trip and to
determine the. truth OF these dire
stories that floated west from the cen
z
"I was SURPRISED to find on that triI
that factories were running in their
cities. farms were being operated with
the most modern Of motorized equip
ment and people generally were not be.
ing forced to keep the gun oiled for thai
wolf that was sure was haunting
thousands Of doors.
Personally, was glad to find that
we were having hard times only in
political interviews. Poverty tina,
manifests itself only in the incon.
highways with motor cars will hurt nt
one. In nv opinion therefore. tariff
legislation will not be the outstanding
feature of the coming session OF con.
gress.
Common Traffic Code, Need.
The journey of hundreds of miles in.
dicated to me the necessity for uni
formity in our motor traffic laws.
would think it worth while il our grea
motor car organizations drafted com
mon traffic code. acceptable to the
states and then get this code through
in law form.
Traffic Cor HaIts Steele.
"The tourists. and there are thous.
ands Of them crossing the country II
mo.cr cars each month, finds traffic
codes so different in the various state:
and cities. that he is often led into ways
one CITY is the halt signal in another
We were chided by one Of the officer.
on the way through to New York. II
this we were more fortunate than 9th.
ers making such a journey. A common
traffic code known to all and in tht
hands Of all would go far to furthel
public safety"