The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
John N. WilIys Talks About Road Construction and
 It's Importance
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
 DUE TO MOTOR CAR
Only 10 Per Cent of Public Highways Improved and Some States Show Only 5 Per Cent-Figures
 Are Given

Ihe aWaKenIng or public interest to the importance of good roads in this country was given it's chief impetus through the agency of the automobile, according to John N Willys, president of the Willys-o Overland company, who has made an exhaustive study of the good roads subject.
 'fThe amount of money spent in this country last year on highway. con- struction amounted to approximately $250,00o,000 but this huge expenditure was more than offset by the fact that land valnes. in most localities were increased anywhere from 100 to 400 per cent by the road improvements. If an equal amount of money is put into road improvements each year for the next 10 years. the United States will be able to boast of more than 500,0O0 miles of good roads representing a cost of $2,5OO, 900, 900, and an apprecia- ton in land values of fully S25,O00,000,- 900.
 "The big trunk lines such as the Lincoln highway and Dixie highway never would have been started had it not been for the motor car," says MT.
 
 be but forerunners of others that in time will give the United States as fine 8 system of highways as can be found in the world.
 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
 What the coming of the automobile has accomplished in the way of road improvement work during the past 10 years is nothing compared to what it will do in the future. When you stop to consider that there is more than one motor vehicle to every 50 people in this country, it is easy to under stand the tremendous interest taken in the good roads movement.
 with over 100000 cars in use at the present time and with an addi- tional 100000 planned for the year 1916, it is only logical to believe that in the years to come the proportion of good roads in the United States will be far in excess of what it is to- day.
 ''Figures compiled by experts show that only 10 per cent of our public roads are improved, while in many states the improved roads number less than per cent. And had it not been for the motor cars, this percentage would be still lower, for during the past 10 years we have built more good roads than in all our previous history.
 
 department of agriculture it is esti- mated that the farmers of this country are losing s250,O00,000 annually on account of the inaccessibility of their products at certain times of the year, due to bad road conditions. This loss to the farmers is equal to the amount spent last year in road improvement work, and it will be interesting to note the next government report to see if the farmers losses have not been lessened materially by this huge expenditure for better roads.
 "Too much credit cannot be given to the automobile for the road inn provements that are going on all over the country. The town or village that neglects it's streets or roadways Is given a wide berth by tourists and mo- torists in general. The ability of the motor car to cover long distances quickly and economically enables its owner to do his trading in the town that offers the best approach to It's stores.
 sThat is the chief reason why the more progressive towns today are pay ing strict attention to the roadways that lead into them Competition be- tween cities and towns has forced them to take care of the needs of the mo- torist and by improving their thor oughfares they have benefited the whole community.
 Newspapers and magazines are doing all in their power to further the good roads movement. Many of them are going so far as to publish auto mobile routes that tell at glance which towns are to be avoided ana which ones are to be recommended for tourists. The town or village that Is advertised as a hard place to reach py automobile has little chance to get out of the rut It's neighbor may be less than five miles distant. but 1T the roads leading into it are in good shape it ;s hound to grow and prosper"