Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-04
MOTOR STATIONS ON HIGH
WAYS.

Under what is called "The American
plan" nationwide campaign has just
been launched by the Public Comfort
Station bureau, in New York, backed
by the American Automobile associa-
ton, National Highways association,
National Old Trails Road association,
and other national organizations, to
provide roadside stations in cities along
all highways like passenger stations
along the right-of-way of a railway.
The plan was called forth by the
urgent need for public comfort sta
lions, and the almost criminal lack of
them in this country, which is far be-
hind Europe in that respect. Railways
have taken care of their passengers by
providing toilet accommodation in the
stations and on the trains, but no pro-
vision has been made by the public for
the public. Even in the crowded cities
public comfort stations are scarce, and
at no points along the highways, even
the national highways. are stations to
be found. The entire woodworking
public is dependent on private kindness
for their accommodations, in spite Of
the fact that more people now travel
by motor than by train.
The several national associations Co
operating in this campaign purpose
using their joint influence TO have
erected in every city through which
d main highway runs, one or more pub
lie comfort stations, provided with a
comfortable waiting room, equipped
with sanitary toilet accommodations
for men and women, containing pure
and wholesome drinking water and in
hard-water localities having a small
Understanding apparatus for supply
ing soft water for automobile radia-
tors. The stations are to be equipped
with telephones so that wherever 10
Gated the traveller will always be in
touch with the outside world. Other
necessary electrical equipment will
likewise be provided. The waiting
room can be used, too, as an emery
ency hospital in case of accidents along
the road, while telephones connecting
the various stations along the line will
tend to prevent crime or check the es-
cape of those engaged in criminal prac-
tees along the highways.
In the western part of the country
where cities are rather far apart, they
plan to have counties or townships put
up community buildings along the lines
OF travel, containing auditoriums where
lectures can be delivered, moving pic
ture or other entertainments given,
Libraries housed halls where dances
can be held and rural companies of
state militia or national guards or
gained, drilled and quartered.
Aviation, likewise, comes in for con-
sheraton in this comprehensive plan.
1t is estimated that within 10 years
aeroplanes will become almost as nu-
merous as automobiles are today, so at
certain roadside stations, or public
comfort stations, landing places will
be provided, parking places, and a sys-
tenn Of land lights so that an aviator
at night will know what state he is
over, and the location above the state
1t is found in the European war that
the automobile and motor truck play as
important parts as the railways. The
aeroplane has created for itself pos
sibly more important place in war
fare. 4 system of good roads crisis
crossing the country like a spider web,
and dotted with automobile and aero
plane stations, would, therefore, prove
valuable from a military standpoint
So that all the features of value in
war times will be~incorporated in the
buildings. the Warsdepartment has de-