The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-06-11
NATIONAL ROAD
CONGRESS GREAT
NEED OF TODAY
SHOULD BE HELD UNDER AUS
PICES OF THE FEDERAL GOV
EMINENT, SAYS OFFICIAL OF
THE A. A. A.

Washington, June 1o.-"Unques-
tionably the time has arrived for a
great National Road Congress to be
held once year in the national cap
ital under federal government direc-
tion," asserts George C. Diehl, chair
man of the American Automobile AS
ISOLATION good roads board.
"This gathering in Washington
would be under the auspices of the
United States Office of public roads
and rural engineering of the depart
ment of agriculture" continued Mr..
Diehl, "and the event could be made
most comprehensive in its scope:
there could be complete exhibit of
road machinery and road materials;
there could be sample construction of
various kinds of highways; road
schools could be conducted for state,
county and town engineers; and va
rious technical phases of the work
could be set forth by trained experts
who would gladly attend such a great
good roads event.
''Then there would come the inter
related phases of road travel and
road transportation. Undoubtedly
the department of the interior, be-
cause of its national parks, would set
forth the scenic attractions which are
under government supervision. Va
rious states would be given opportu-
nifty of advertising their attractions.
All around, an assemblage could be
brought about which would prove ex-
ceedingly effective.
''The good roads board believes in
state highway conventions which are
generally called for specific purpose
in the endeavor to concentrate the eff
forts for road enthusiasts for def
mite ends. These state meetings are
of incalculable value, for the state is
the political subdivision which must
carry on by far the greatest: burden
of future road construction and main
tenance.
with the vast amount of funds
being expended throughout the coun-
try, the government of the highway
departments is becoming largely a
question of scientific management,
md it is believed that if. the county
ere the smallest unit Of administra-
lion that greater efficiency would re-
suit. The numerous state good roads
meetings converged into a great ma
tional congress once a year, held in
the national capital, it is believed
would be the best way of handling
the changed highway situation, and
the government could properly as
sumo the obligation resulting from
he management of this great national
event.
'"The time has arrived when high
way conventions should have more
of an official character. There should
be a good roads meeting in every
township in the United States at least
once a year, held under the charge
of the chief highway official of the
township. There should be at least
one county meeting held every year
in each county, under the charge Of
the county engineer or the chief high
way official. There should be one
state meeting in each state each year,
under the charge of the state high
way commission. Then the focal aD>
tomobiIe clubs, the good roads ASSOC
Citations and others could cooperate
in these conventions as their interest
and location warranted. The town
ship, county. and state meetings
should be held before the national
meeting, so that at each of the small
er gatherings delegates could be
named to go to the national conven-
j ton, which in reality would be a
! great good roads school, lasting for
/ one or two weeks, in the city of Wash
ington, under the charge Of the most
important highway official of the
country, namely, the federal author
ity in charge Of governmental expen-