El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-10
SUGGESTS Good
ROADS MEETING
A. A. A. Official Thinks Ma
tional Convention Should
Be Held Annually.


Washington. D. c.. June 1G.-"Un-
questionably the time has arrived for
a great national road congress to be
held once a year in the national capt.
tai under federal government direc-
ton" asserts George C. Diehl, chair
rlan Of the A. A A. 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" continues Mr..
Diehl. "and the event could be made
most comprehensive in its scope;
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
VINO 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 de-
partment Of the interior, because OF
its national parks. would set forth the
scenic attractions which are under
government supervision Various
states would be given opportunity OF
advertising their attractions All
around. an assemblage could be
ceeQlngly eILecllFe-
The good roads board believes in
state highway conventions which are
generally called for a specific pur-
pose in the endeaVOr TO concentrate
the efforts for road enthusiasts for
definite ends These state meetings
are Of fncalcula liable value. for the state
is the pOlitica1 subdivision which must
carry on by far the greatest burden
Of future road construction and main
tenance-
with the vast amount OF funds 80
ing expended throughout the country
the government Of the highway de-
partments is becoming largely a ques-
tlOn Of scientific management and IL
is believed that If the county were
the smallest unit of administration
that greater efficiency would result
The numerous state good roads me t.
ings cOnverged into a great national
congress once year. held IN the ns-
tional capital, it is believed would
changed highway situation. and the
government could properly assume the
obligation resulting from the manage
ment 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 cnarge OF
the county engineer or the chief hi
way official There should be one
state meeting in each state each year,
under the charge Of the state high
wav commission Then the local au-
tomobiIe clubs. the good roads asso-
Citations and others could cooperate
in these conventions as their interest
and location warranted The township
county and state meetings should be
held before the national meeting. 50
that at each of the smaller gatherings
delegates could be named to 80 -
the national convention which IN
reality would be great good roads
school. lasting for one TO two weeks.
in Washington. under the charge OF
the most important highway official
of the country. namely the federal az
thority in charge OF governmental ex-
penditure-"