Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-29
SENTIMENT IS SOLID
FOR IMPROVED ROADS
President Wilson's Declaration for
Highway Construction pWi-
miStiC Stimulate.
GREAT MEETING IN CHICAGO
Broad-ViSioned Program Outlined
for Development of National High
WAY Work-StItc Lines Hereto
fore We're Stumhlin"hlocks.

''prcsidcit Wilson's declaration that
highway construction and ucN"lor'nrui
is among the most inlHoriant essentials
10 our peace reconstruction IS he most
optimistic Siilnulant given the cam.
paign for the improvement OF our ma
: tcnal highways. SAYS w. -. iEutner-
ford. vice pre- idcut Of tn" Il. r. Good
rich Rubber Company. IN tn" !i1Eh-
ways Industries Associations.
II, was his first committal on this
subject since the start OF the war.
continued ISi,hr,ford. 'Er.cnds OF tn
movement were ciatvi when hN moor
roratcd ia his last message 20 CON
gfcss: What the country badly n"""S
is that is means OF transportation
should be developed, its railways us
waterways. it's highways ana ITS
countryside roads
''Of almost equal moment is the ar-
ton taken d, the recent highway con-
vcntion in chicago. Rutherford said.
The Presidents Viewpoint was om-
pitasiZed and approved al joint meet
Citations. the state Highway officials
Association. the Highways TRANSPORT
Comnittec. the National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce. the American
&etonoh.le Association and the LIN
ooln and Dixie Highway Associations.
Among the Delegates were highway Of
Metals from Corty-tour states.
NATIONAL SENTIMENT
FOR ADEQi ATE HIGHWAYS
I'National sentiment in favor OF an
more graphically brought 10 light than
NJ the Chicago gathering. declared
rutherford. with perfect accord, the
convention resolved that the follow
ing main points should re embodied III
bill TO be put before tn" present
short term OF Congress for passage
81 Tha, u Federal highway commits
sion be appointed /" plan, maintain and
construct a national system OF nigh
ways.
80, That the mileage Of highways to
t-lN IL
not amount TO over per cent OF the
total mileage Of tho roads OF that
State.
% That a thorough survey and an
alySis Of the transportation require
ments OF the nation and its highway
trnHic should he compiled
-, That an appropriation should be
made by the Federal government OF
$500, 200. 400 per Year for carrying on
This work.
- That the Federal highways com
mission shall take over the work of
the highway transport committee and
pnrtment OF Agriculture
This is tho platform OF the CO.
ests OF tho entire country" said Ruth
crford. ITS broad and vital aspects
viii help meet Americas pledge to sup
ply Europe with foodstuffs. 1t will
furnish an incstimabic national asset
IN the transportation Of around 25,o0o.-
GOO tons Of grain, butter, eggs, stock
and prepared food from farming com
mNn'tcs and industrial ccnters to tho
SCI ro:ts. Furthermore. this legislation
WI create highway foundation for
the future which will help broaden our
vision in the development Of national
roSourccs.
CoUATRN'S CONCEPTION
nF WORK. DRONBENED
our conception has been sinall--our
Interstate highway transformation has
ncen cramped and handicapped by
nonncrT lines" Rutherford continued
Ihe stumhlingbloct planted itself on
inc state line where. one State with diff
iertnt plans, appropriations ana spcci-
ications halted their highway work
perhaps tho ne!ghhoring state was
poor' or us policy was TO improve the
country land on q bigger scale tlran
NE big Interstate latcrals and mcri
o'snS. the vital road was incomplete
Ill contained bad stretches rendering
II inefficient '''E
Under tho Federal highways COM
MISSION groups Of States will hc,tnr
Understand each others problems and
GoNernm"nt direction will furnish :,
stimulus 'ha; will be reflected and r.I,
on DOWN the line to the county MI