Evening journal., 1918-09-27
Our HIGHWAYS. THE WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION


THE Council Of National Defense has authorized a
statement to the effect that a definite program of
specnc use of the highways in support Of both the war
plan and the reconstruction policy for postwar times war
was developed by the Highways Transport Committee OF
the Council of National Defense in conference Of its
eleven regional chalnnen representatives Of every sec
tlon OF the country, held at Washington September II
to 49, inclusive
Recognition Of the highways value a transporta-
on resource was evidenced by the appearance before
the committee and It's eharmen Of Cabinet officers
members the National Railroad Administration, The
Food Administration the War Industries Board the
Nationa Highways Council. the Electric Railways War
Board the Army and the United States Senate Presi-
dent Wilson received the conferees at the White House
at the conclusion of the sessions.
Every one OF the governmental agencies whose war
work can be effected by the full utilization of highways
transport proposed close cooperation between his own
organization and the nationwide organization which
the Highways Transport Committee, under the direction
Of Roy D. Chaplin chairman, has achieved in the last
nine months All glad TO suggest means Of develop
ing this coordination for Americas common cause.
Herbert Hoover Federal Food Administrator, warmly
approved the development Of the rural express as
means for saving perishabe oodstus produced for
stimulating production Of food for lowering COSTS
Of living and conserving farming manpower for the
soil Mr. Hoover observed that fifty per cent. Of the
pershables produced in America are wasted largely
through Ineffective means of getting them to market Fast
intimate service by rural expresses nc foresees will bo
a great source Of saving. BY the use of motored eX-
presses Mr.. Hoover pointed out the farmer need not
maintain so many draft animals on the farm, animals
that cat the crops Of millions fertile that other
wise could be devoted to raising food for people The
failure OF the public market IN America. Mr. Hoover sald
was caused by inadequate transportation OF intimate
sorl he believes that developed rural express VIII
give public markets basis Of economic success and tend
! toward lower price levels
Il Il ~ fho
highways development his plan for putting millions
OF returned soldiers and their families small farms
carved by the Government from great of public
domain now either unused or In need OF reclamation
"I can see the making OF a America" said Sec
retary Lane "a nation farming communities small
industrial centers; each Will have its creamery,
cannery and other Of taking Of its surplus
products These farming communities viii be populated
largely by returned veterans, comrades IN arms COM
rades in peace, the material, political and spiritual
leaders Of these communities. These centers must be
developed and tied together and easy Of access by
good roads, which the most efficient Of transport
Will move goods TO market"
William c. Redned, Secretary OF the Interior told the
regional chairmen that he regarded highway waterway
and railway as a trinity of economic usefulness, in
capable OF fullest function unless all factors of it were
developed efficiently lie pointed out that the perfection
OF the internal combustion engine has given both high
ways and waterways a new too-the motored vehicle
on the roads, the motOred the rivers and canals
He remarked that though The Hudson bordered
with three times the ral lines has now and Its waters
ploughed by all the ships could carry stl the farmer
living inland five miles from It would fail ia prOnt unless
given to docks and depots by rural expresses
Secretary Reded said he regarded legislation TO restrict
the size OF motor trucks ntoerable would have
been TO have stopped locomotive development forty
years ago because engines and were getting too
heavy the light rails OF those days Our tronsporta
tion routes be fitted to the TOOLS he declared
Relief for the railways by another Of the Highways
Transport Committees projects-he sOredoor delivery
system-was welcomed by Edward Chambers, former
vice-presdent Of The Santa Fe railroad, Director Of
Traffic in the National Railroad Administration He urged
the charmen TO promote the trucking Of lesshenCaroad
shipments from the manufacturing centers 10 communi-
ties thirty forty miles out and the cooperation OF
the highways regional charmen with the railways
giona traffic directors TO facilitate the clearing Of the
i terminals in the larger cities Mr. Chamber announced
that in conjunction with the Highways Transport
mittee the railroad administration is trying out the
sore-door delivery system in New York. with hopeful
results If It meets expectations there 1t viii be extended
! TO other large centers.
Mark L. Reuua director of the oil division Of the Fuel
! Administration asked the committees cooperation in
campaign to promote more efficient operation Of all
gasone-powered vehicles and the conservation OF fuel
through the stopping OF waseful practices and non
essential running.
The army was represented before the conference by
army truck convoy service Lieutenant-Coonel Uhler
bespoke the cooperation Of the chairmen in providing
for the clearing Of roads during the coming winter when
as IT has for months now, the army will be moving
long trains Of trucks from inland factories down
TO the seaboard under their power and cargoed with
munitions
Joseph D. Baker, OF the War Industries Boards stan,
asked chairmen to help make clear to motorists and
garage managers the necessity Of saving both materials
anu nahpoWer and suggested in which such saw
ings can be effected
hepoms made by the regional chairmen show ton
mage moved over the highways increasing at tremen-
oous rate 10 sooe stsLes as much as fonr hndrad nor