The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-12-21
MOTOR STATIONS
ON HIGHWAYS
Europe Far Better Provided In
This Respect Than America.
RESEMBLE RAIL WAY DEPICTS

Nation Wide Campaign Inau9urated,
Backed by Several Powerful Associa
tions, For the Erection of Public
Stations In Cities Along All lmpor
tant Highways.
Under what is called 1.-The American
plan a nation wide campaign has
been launched by the public comfort
station bureau of New York city,
backed by the American Automobile
association, National Highways asso-
citation, National Old Trails Road as
ISOLATION and other national organiza-
lions. to provide roadside stations in
cities along all highways like stations
along the right of way of a railway.
The plan was called forth by. the
urgent need for public comfort sta
tons 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 accommodations in the
stations and on trains, but no provi-
sion 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 motor travelling
public is dependent on private kind
ness for it's accommodations in spite
Of the fact that more people now trav-
ell 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
main highway runs one or more public
comfort stations provided with COM
Portable waiting room. equipped with
sanitary toilet accommodations for
men and women, containing pure and
wholesome Ill mixing water and in hard
water localities having a small water
Softening apparatus for supplying soft
water for automobile radiators. The
stations are to he equipped with tele-
phones so that wherever located 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 emergency hospital in
case of accidents along the road, while
telephones connecting the various sta
tons along the line will tend to pre-
vent crime or check the escape of those
engaged in criminal practices 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, NOV
ing picture or other entertainments
given, libraries housed, halls where
dances can be held and rural compa-
MES of state militia or national guard
organized, drilled and quartered
Aviation likewise comes in for con-
sideration in this comprehensive plan.
1t is estimated that within ten years
aeroplanes will become almost as nu-
merous as automobiles are today, so at
certain roadside stations or public COM
fort stations landing places will be
provided, parking places and a system
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
possibly a more important place in
warfare. A system of good roads criss-
crossing the country like 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
wartimes will be Incorporated in the
buildings the war department has de-
tailed Major Carl f. Hartmann to CO.
operate in the work.
To build a public comfort station