The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-08-06

penditure this year seems staggering
it will not be enough to make UP for
deferred war construction, for norm al
ly the amount spent on roads In the
United States is well above $500 400
and the war restriction brakes applied
brought road building almost 20 a stop
in many localities.
Three great factors have been large.
ly responsible for this years amazing
highway expenditures. First, the in
centive for states to match federal aid
appropriations; second, the passage of
enormous bond issues for good roads
in many states; and third, the atten-
ton on the urgent need of good roads
by the war.
Reports from state. highway COM
missioners to the Goodrich officials
show some tnterest ting individual fea-
lures.
Construction in Virginia during the
next six years of $3.50 miles of high
way at cost Of more than $4,000 900
has been approved.
In the New England states-Con-
neoticut, Massachusetts,, Rhode Island,
Vermont and New Hampshire have
been interesting in closing up short
gaps on their main highways, which
are otherwise improved for the entire
distance. The same condition has been
true in New York, where numerous
projects are being linked up with an
extensive network Of roads which are
already hard surfaced.
One of the features of this years
work will be the completion of the
Dixie highway, which will be done by
a CT I'M xr,if oh nt he,
and with the government. For in
stance, in Illinois the highway will be
improved in many spots, one of which
is over distance of 54.5 miles at a
cost Of S904,700 and the construction
will be Of concrete and bituminous
macadam. At the same time Georgia
will be working on the road from At
lanta through to Macon, a distance Of
72 miles and continuation of the
Dixie highway in that state. In Ten.
nessee and Kentucky projects are
under way which will further serve to
improve this famous old highway,
which cuts through the central section
of the country from north to south.
Iowa Is entitled to the palm for
consistent road construction. This
state, which has more automobiles per
capita than any other state in the
union, spent in the neighborhood of
SIT, 100000 during both 1917 and 1918.
and is spending $40. 49s,534 this year.
Iowa has an ideal road building pro-
gram. When their state system Is
completed 1t will not only be the
equivalent not only OF trunk line
system converging to the cities, but
to trunk line clear across the state
from east to west through every
and north and south through
every county as we'll. The Iowa plan
will give each state the most nota Bile
road achievement Of any state in the
nation. No where else has system
been adopted that treats every county
alike or that reaches every district
Texas leads the nation IN highway
this year with $50,
300 available. Texas also led last year.
Within her borders Texas has 10000
niles Of unimproved roads, as against
1000 miles Of improved highway
Iowa, California, Michigan, Ohio,
Indiana and Minnesota rank next to
Texas in expenditures for road build
ng in the order named. Thus 1t will
,e noted that the agricultural states
appropriations exceed those Of other
'egions by many millions.