Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-19
CHAIRMAN ]. h, BANKHEAD
DISCUSSES ROAD BILLS
'labania Senator Says House Legis.
lation Did Not Have Sufficient
Safeguards.
SENATE WILL CORRECT BILL
rcrctarf OF Agriculture Will BE
Given More Authority in Approx
ing Provisions OF Applications.
Aid Not limited TO Maintenance.

WASHINGTON. n. G.. March ls.-
h'iriuaH John II. Baukhcad, of the
''9tc Committee on Post Offices and
u Roads. accompanies the good roads
icasnrc reported to The Senate by u
memorandum which scts forth the diff
cEehce between the substitute meas
re offered and the bill passed by the
louise OF REPRESENTATIVES,. Particular
upha5iS Is Laid upon the fact that
nc iionsc legislation did not safe
uald completely the expenditure OF
nc Joint Federal and state money.
lie point:
"rho bill II. r. 1917. passed by the
,ousc or Representatives, referred to
nc Committee Agriculture and
'orcstrY and later referred TO this
unlmittcc, is most seriously defective
u its failure to afford reasonable in
ncc;ion and safeguarding on tho part
III tho Federal government Of the Fed
raj appropriations. \ careful reading
'f section . OF tho House bill reveals
nc fact tina no power is vested in the
Iccrctarv OF Agriculture To diSapprovc
lac appnca ton by ~ state highway dc
|,artment FOR aid under the provisions
I,f tho, act unless the road for which
|,''l IL sought fails 10 come within the
II, DIVISIONS Of the act. IIasmuch as
I've act passed by the House brings
practically every class Of roads III the
d
lie act. tho Secretary Of Agriculture
would have no power to disapprovc the
/, piica ton Having no voice whatso-
|,Ner In tho selection Of the road, he
y then required by the terms of the
bill to rcquc5, Of tho state high way
department. surveys. plans, srcciiica-
| ioBs. estimates aud such other infor-
|nition as he may consider proper. II"
b. given no power of approval or dis
F'pprova1 Of the Dlars', surveys, spccih-
cattons and estimates. but is only au-
|thorized to examine them and deter
nino what would he reasonable cost
of the proposed investment"
One feature of the House bill which
b ought forth the greatest criticism
IS is I'm connection with possible US"
of tho money for maintenance pur-
nuscs The organized motorists.
Through tho American Automobile A.
svciation National GOOD Roads Board, al
most unanimously objected TO this pro-
vision Eliminating entirely any
expenditure, the Senate
thus scts forth tho rca-
ou for it's objection:
The House bill carries = provision
for AID TO road maintenance. This
committee believes that the applica-
zion OF Federal funds 10 this purpose
would constitute ucVcr-cndiig dram
non the Federal treasury without APP
prcc,nhlc results in tho form OF a
greater mileage OF improved roahS' ana
would tend 10 stioc tho spirit OF self
holm on the part OF Vocal communities
"Uy confirm. the expenditure OF tho
Int fund supplied ~ tho Federal gov
e. nutcut and tho rcspcciiv" state GOV
r.,mruts TO construction rathcr than
:, maintenance. tangible aud durab!o
Dad. will be provided 10 take the
mace OF those upon which untold mil
oua have hccu expended for tenn
ora. pairN.,ovk i'm the past II year
i vetr Z: steadily growing mileage OF
a .uuotl. twcll constructed ron6S
'.ts - evidence to show ihat cvcry
~. La ~ Federal AMI state money
utly expended has been productive
c results. /, will no; only 30 far to-
,rd providing Convenient highways
n,.t 'rintr. but Viii. like the example
GOOD mans cement and skilled meth
% already -it.d. nave a most benc-
,ui Inference up"Li tho Lesser units OF
government iu demonstrating the ad-
uta-c. or .Ufuh'. construction.