The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-26
FEDERAL APPROVAL
REQUIRED FOR ROADS
Regulations Governing Policy and
Procedure During War Made
known by Highways Council.

Washington. d. c., Aug. 24---The
made public its regulations, effective
Septem Der to. governing highway and
street work during the period of the
war. Federal approval is required
for practically all highway construc-
ton.
No manufacturer" the council q
announcement says. will furnish any
road building material until the pro-
iect has been approved by the United
States highway council.
The proposed work that should be
first submitted to the United States
highway council through the appro-
pirate state highway department is
defined as follows;
An proposed highway, street. cul-
vert and bridge construction, recon-
struction and maintenance involving
(a) the issuance of bonds; (b) the
use of rail or water transportation;
(c) the use of coal or oil as fuel :tdb
the use of cement, brick, asphalt, oil.
tar, crushed stone or steel (also sand
and gravel where shortage exlsts) as
highway material.
The council urges that new high
way and street construction be con-
fined to most essential needs, and an s.
nounce that it will give first consider
alton to the maintenance of highways
already completed Reconstruction
is to be favorably considered only
where it is clear that maintenance is
no longer possible except at prohibit
tive cost.
Military Roads First.
New construction. it is announced,
will be given consideration by the
council in the following. order:
yexkx ,A 81 If mi J.
tary value, used regularly for the
transportation of military supplies IN
considerable quantity, for the move
ment as an established practice of
army-truck trains, or essential to the
efficient operation of a military cam
Torment, post. or plant; second, high
ways and streets of national eco
nomic value, serving directly to pro-
mote the national welfare and not
merely local welfare; third, unfin-
ished contracts involving contractu
raj obligations tincurred prior to
April 5. 1918, where bond issue is in
volved), which may not be disturbed
without serious consequences: fourth,
streets and highways which, although
not of national economic importance,
are of extreme local importance, and
the construction of which has pro-
crossed to such a point that serious
hardship would be caused If their con-
struction or completion should be
postponed.
=. Plans Program for 1919.
The council is soon to begin, IN
co cooperation with the bureau of public
roads of the United States department
of agriculture, and the state high
way departments, preparation OF a
program of road and street construc-
tion, reconstruction and maintenance
throughout the United States for the
working season of 1919.
The purpose is 70 approximate the
character and amount of work deem
ed essential for 1919. with the amount
and character of financing and ma
terials involved, and the probable de-
mand on rail and water transporta
ton and labor supply. The prepare
| ton of the program in each state Is
| to be in charge of the state highway
department.
| The United States highways coun
ell is composed of representatives
| from the department of agriculture
the war department, the railroad ad-
ministration, the war industries
board, and the fuel administration.
Logan Waller Page, director of the
bureau Of public roads, is chairman
of the council.