The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-06
NATIONALIZED
HICHWAYSARE
BEING URGED

Washington. July 5.-Over two score OF
bills already introduced in the special
session OF the Sixty-sixth Congress make
evident the positive demand that is de-
ytloping all over the United States for
nationalized highways and more COM
pete control Of federal expenditures Tn
roads by the government
Though the extra session is yet young.
some forty bilis having highways as their
major theme have been dropped into the
legislative hopper. while more than a
score OF others which deal with the road
situation to a greater or lesser degree are
now on file.
Chief among these in interest. OF
course, is the measure of Senator Charles
y. Townsend. of Michigan. providing for
a national system of highways, a federal
study of the principles governing trans-
porfation.
This bin was first introduced at the
hst session. Since then IL has been sub
tected to nationwide criticism, with
the result that numerous powerful or
ca nizat tons have gone on record favoring
~ a bill which treats the subject in
the broadcast manner and with due con-
sideration for the varying needs OF the
respective states.
federal road administration does not now
meet with country wide favor, aside
ffcm the Townsend measure, several otn-
ers have been introduced which would
create a radically different form of con-
troll. For instance Senator Wesley Jones
OF Washington calls for the creation of a
department of public works. which would
among its other duties include all that Is
now done by the bureau of public roads.
Representative Osborne OF California
would create a department Of federal
highways and establish national high
way system. while Representative Reavis
OF Nebraska introduces in the house the
Same measure Is sponsored in the
senate by Mr.. Jones.
Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas Is
the author of one bill calling for a mill
tary highway along the Southwestern boz
der while Representative Hayden OF Ari-
coma also would have the war department
at once undertake a survey and investi-
gate the need for a boundary road. Rep
reeentative Hudspeth OF Texas, has about
the same idea, except that he would not
delay in starting the building of such a
military highway.
Senator Jones of Washington would
have a survey of the entire Pacific coast
Nnr the purpose of Investigating the need
or n military road. He would also survey
and locate a military and post road from
st. Louis to Olympia. Wash.
Representative Lea of California, pro-
poses n highway for military coast de-
Tense purposes along the Northern Pacific
coast OF his state, to be known as the
Roosevelt highway. Mr.. Hawley OF Ore
gon seconds this idea and calls for the
construction of the Roosevelt highway
along the coast of his commonwealth.
senator shields of Tennessee would au-
therize the secretary OF war to prepare a
preliminary plan for a system of i'm
proved national highways. keeping In
mind possible future military require
nsents.
Repre- sentative Robson OF Kentucky
asks for an increase of $1,000, 900, 600 to
present federal aid road act appropria-
ions yxshile Representative Ferris of Ok
ishoma believes that 100000, 600 should
be added.
Many OF the Rocky Mountain states
have fathered measures
which would provide for the sale of pub
one OF the most important of these bills
coming from Senator Phipps of Colorado.
There are number of bills which call
for special appropriations for the con-
struction of national park thoroughfares.
N, ernorial roads. and military highways.
Delegate Kalanianole. of Hawaii con-
tends that this territory should partici- |
pate in the distribution of the money ap- |
propriated under the federal aid road act. |
Senator King. of Utah. believes that |
the national forests should be returned !
tn the department of the interior, instead |
or being administered by the department |
be remembered. traces back to the Roose- |
welt admin stra ton. when the change was 1
made 20 meet The wishes OF Clifford Pin 1
chot the then chief forester. power /
ruf sentiment undoubtedly exists for the |
return OF the forest reserves TO the Sec
rotary OF the interior.