Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-08
An Authoritative Opinion
On the Highway Commission.

1T is my personal opinion that the meas
ure would not confer sufficient duties and au-
thority upon the Prison Commission to make
it a highway department as contemplated by
the federal road act. 1 feel that State
highway department, If 1t is to be such as is
contemplated by the federal road act, must be
actual engineering department made up of
experienced road builders, thoroughly qualified
to make the necessary surveys, plans specifca-
lions and estimates, and to supervise construc-
ton"
These are the words of Mr.. Logan w. Page, d.
rector of the Office of public roads and rural engi-
neering in the national Department of Agriculture
They are from a letter by him to congressman Lee
and Vinson in response to their inquiry concern
ing the dubious highway commission bill passed oy
the Georgia House of Representatives To say, as
some of the opponents of a thoroughgoing
measure are reported to have said, that Mr. Pages
opinion the matter is of consequence, be-
trays either ignorance insincerity. The
Office of public roads and rural engineering
is one of the most important branches or
the federal Sc vice; as the head of tLat ofdce,
Mr.. Page has broad power and responsibility. lie
is charged with the practical administration of the
federal road act and, speaking from an admin
isrative point of view he declares in reference to
the House bin:
81 should certainly recommend to the
aid to the State of Georgia any such basis"
This counsel is wholly disinterested. The di-
rector of the national Office of public roads is not
concerned with the political game which OBJ
structs the passage of an adequate highway COM
mission bill for Georgia and thereby threatens the
State with loss of two million dollars. He is per-
sonay Indifferent to what the Legislature does or
fails to do. His opinion not volunteered but
came in official response to a request from Georgia
Congressmen. If that sort of advice is not worth
considering, then nothing that can be SAID on the
issue will carry any weight.
For years our representatives in Congress have
striven to secure federal aid for road building and
at last after repeated dsappointments and in spite
of great obstacles they have succeeded. fund OF
seventy-five million dollars has been granted for
apportionment among the States that comply with
the terms of the new act. Is it possible that the
Legislature will let Georgas rightful share of this
generous aid go by default? Shall the State whose
Congressmen were so largely instrumental in es-
tablishing federal aid for roads be the only State
in all the Union not to avail ltsen OF the oppor-
tulity thus opened?
The people will do we'll to realize that this dan
ger is imminent. Georgia is one or the only
three States which have not already established
competent highway commission, and the other two
are preparing to do so without quibbling. The end
of the Legislative session is If anything is
TO be done to protect the States interests under
the federal law, it must be done speedily.
The House BILL which merely bestows the
empty title of a highway department on the Prison
Commission will not suffice. Nothing short of
highway department endowed with genuine re-
sponsibilities charged with definite duties and
composed of efficient officers suffice. The only
hone of an adequate measure now lies in prompt
action by the Senate and fair-minded concurrence
by the House.
The time is short.
The need is imperative.
The responsibility cannot be escaped