Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-30
Now for a Highway Commission.

The good roads legislation recommended by the
recent conference of committees representing the
State Chamber of Commerce. the State Assocla-
ton of County Commissioners and the Atlanta
Chamber of Commerce will commend itself to the
cordial interest of everyone who appreciates Geor-
gas need of systematic highway development
The fact that three such organizations have
placed themselves unitedly behind definite an
dertaking is of itself significant. Each of them
stands for the upbuildng of the Commonwealth
and each has record of loyal and fruitful service
The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has supported
the cause of good roads for long years past The
State Chamber of Commerce from its very begin
ming has given particular study and effort to that
line of endeavor. The Association of County Com
missioners is composed of men who know from
broad and practical experience what Georgia most
needs in this important field of public service.
The advice of three such bodies therefore, merits
earnest consideration.
This State is spending great deal of money
and labor on road construction, but it is not get
ting due results. While some counties employ
skilled engineers, many of them are with
out competent counsel in selecting material and
making plans and applying the funds raised
through bond issues taxation. There are many
miles of excellent roads in districts here and there
but there is nothing like a Statewide system OF
highways. In justice to the individual and col
lective interests of the counties there ought 70 be
some broad plan of coordination and economy.
Those ends can best be served by State
Highway Commission. The bill proposed for this
purpose by the three representative bodies we
have mentioned is modelled upon similar measures
now in force in other States with particular refer
ence to the conditions and need of Georgia. It's
salient provisions may be summed up as follows
1t creates a commission consisting of three
members, two to be named by the governor and
the third to be the dean of civil engineering at
the University of Georgia, the two members APP
pointed by the governor being men who hold no
other Office in the state government. 1t provides
for a state highway engineer to work under the
supervision of the commission and serve as Sec
rotary of the commission. 1t provides that per
cent of the felony convicts of the state shall be
assigned to work under the commission, and that
the commission shall employ these gangs in the
construction of a system of state highways con-
Meeting the principal cities and county seats OF
the state 1t provides that funds derived iron
the automobile license tax shall be paid to the
commission and expended by the commission, and
provides that the commission shall receive and
expend all funds apportioned to the state from
national highway appropriations.
Whatever differences of opinion there may be
regarding details, the broad purpose and princi-
pies of this measure will meet with hearty APP
prevail 1t is framed to serve the common inter-
ests of the entire State by putting the organized
resources of the State behind the needs of every
county.
1t is especially important that a law OF this
kind be passed at the next session of the General
Assembly in view of national legislation now
pending The good roads bill which the Senate
recently adopted provides for the appropriation of
millions of dollars to aid the States in construct
ing highways, but only those States having a
properly constituted highway commission will be
eligible to share in the federal fund Georgia
thus would lose her part of the grant if she failed
to provide a responsible commission for receiving
and administering it.
Bills of this character have been presented to
the Legislature time and again in recent years,
but owing to one circumstance or another none
has been enacted Further delay would be I'M
pardonably inconsiderate of the States interests
Every civic organization should rally to the sup
port of those who has taken the lead, and urge
that this important matter be settled.