The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-28

apportionment to the State, involves the necessity on the part of such coun- ties of raising an amoupt sufficient to meet the full apportionment for the State, the existence of highway com- mission ,and compliance with all the other terms of the act. I speak of this because there are evidences that indi- vtdual counties think that, if they raise certain sum, of money, they will of necessity get 8 corresponding sum from the Federal Treasury. That is not my construction of the act and not the one that will be likely to pre- vail.
 The duty will rest upon the State highway officials who represent the States of informing the people as to the meaning of this legislation and as to the procedure under it., because the initiative under it. because the initia- tive under the law lies with them. We are directed to cooperate with them i; with the State through the State high way department. It is the duty of the State highway officials, if their States accept the law. to agree with the De-
 
 and to submit projects, plans and specifications. Therefore, individuals associations. and counties will of ne- cessity take up such matters directly with the State highway officials and the Department shall hear from the interested parties through such off, cials for the most part.
 There Is a section of the act which in our Western States, and is acquiring contemplates only parts of the country. areas in certain others of our States. The nation owns great areas, especially The nation owes a duty to the people living in the National Forests or near them. In many instances communi- ties struggling for development have been compelled to rely too exclusively for necessary improvements on taxes from private property or on private contributions. It, is true that under the law we have heretofore been set ting aside for road improvement 10 per cent of the gross receipts from the forests. This has been no inconsider- able sum, nearly three-quarters of million dollars since the act was pass ed, and approximately $278.0O0 for the present fiscal year. But in some sections there are no receipts from the forests and communities have been left to struggle as best they could. The Government in many instances is the owner of the greater Dart of these as-' sets, and it is only equitable and wise that the Federal Government should assist them. So there is appropriat- ed by the act $10,0o0,00o, million year for ten years, for the construction of roads and trails in or near the Na- tional Forests, with the understand ing that communities interested will The State Highway Officials in the forest States. as a. matter of course, will think of co-ordinating work un- der the direct State road funds and those arising under the general pro- visions of the road act with the work to. be undertaken under this special appropriation. a
 33I am hopeful that great benefit will accrue to the nation from the wise and efficient administration of this act. It is one of series of measures recently conceived and enacted for the develop ment of rural life. We began by for mulating a law on similar lines, the We then enacted the cotton futures cooperative agricultural extension act. law to give the cotton farmers and dealers standards to trade son and to secure supervision of the operations on futures exchanges, a similar law to.l establish standards for grains and to regulate interstate and foreign com merce in them, and the warehouse bill for the better storage of staple crops and. for the emission of ware house receipt which should be good, collateral for loans. We have given an opportunity to the National banks I to lend funds on farm mortgages. and. have extended the period of maturity. for farm paper and adopted the Fed eral farm loan act. All these lie in the field of distribution as does this road act. which lies at the foundation of satisfactory and orderly marketinlg.