The Washington herald., 1916-06-11
URGES NATIONAL
ROAD CONGRESS
Chairman Of A. A. A. Good
Roads Board Suggests
Annual Meeting.

'sUnquestionaoly the time has arrived
for a great national road congress to
be held once a year in the National Capt.
tai under Federal government direction,
asserts George c. Diehl chairman of the
A. A A good roads board.
This gathering would be under aus
pices of the United States once OF Pub
lie Roads and Rural Engineering OF the
Department of Agriculture continues
Mr.. Dfehl. "and the event could be made
most comprehensive In its scope; there
could be a complete exhibit of road ma
chinery and road materials: there could
be sample construction Of various kinds
of highways: road schools could be con-
Quoted for State, county, and town en-
gineers; and various 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 ths inter-re-
lated phases Of road travel and road
transporta tion. Undoubtedly the Depart
ment Of the Interior. because of Its ma
tional parks would set forth the scenic
attractions which are under government
supervision. Various States would oe
given opportunity of advertising their at
fractions All around, an assemolage
could be brought about which would
prove exceedingly effective.
The good roads board believes In state
highway conventions which are generally
called for specific purpose in the en-
deavor to concentrate the efforts of road
enthusiasts for definite 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
maintenance.
Scientific Management.
with the vast amount Of funds being
expended throughout the country. the
government of the highway departments
is becoming largely a question of scien-
tthc management, and IT is believed that
IL the county were the smallest unit OF
administration that greater efficiency
would result The numerous Stats good
roads meetings converged into great
national congress once year, held tn
the National Capital, II is believed would
be the best way Of handling the changed
highway situation, and the government
could properly assume the obligation re-
sulting from the management Of this
great national event.
The time has arrived when highway
conventions should have more of an Of
hcial character. There should be 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 highway
official There should be one State meet
ing IN each State each year, under the
charge Of the State highway commission
Then the local automobile clubs. the
good roads associations and others could
cooperate IN these conventions as theil
interest and location warranted. The
township, county and State meetings
should be held before the national meet.
ing, so that at each OF the smaller gath
erings delegates could be named TO 60 tc
the national convention, which IN reality
would be great good roads school, last
ing for one or two weeks, in the cit
OF Washington, under the charge of tbs
most important highway ofhcial Of tbs
country. namely, the Federal authority IN
charge Of governmental expenditure"