Republican farmer., 1919-09-19
ROADS ACT
 IS 4 STEP
 RIGHT WAY
Sheppard Asks Four Hun dred Million Federal
 Aid.
HIGHWAYS HAVE
 CAUSED DERISION
l5,C69 Miles of Roadway Constructed in Three
 Years.

Washington, D. C., Sept 17.-Be. cause the people of the United States have grown accustomed to progress sive legislation and big events in the Iass eight years or so. it is likely that few paid any attention to the news item that Senator Sheppard of Texas had introduced a bill providing for the appropriation of $4OO, 1000. GOO 10 carry out the federal good roads act. Yet this marks the second step in a long delayed and necessary journey on the part of this nation.
 For many decades the roads of America have caused derision, dis comfort and the waste of many mil lions of dollars.
 Foreign visitors could not under stand American apathy, seeing the imnensity of the business involved and having a distinct recollection of the wonderful highways of Europe. Some states, it is true, learned their lesson, but 10 the majority a good road was a rarity.
 But the American is learning and quickly. The work started by the Wilson administration in 1916 has been such speaking, paying sue cess that there is little doubt that Senator Sheppard's bill will pass Congress, and that $4OO.OOO,OOO will be expended in further improvements from 1921 to 1924.
 The distance across the United States from the Atlantic to the Pa ciic is approximately $500 miles In three years, with the Federal Govern ment putting up practically dollar for dollar with the states, 15,O69 miles of perfect roadway have been constructed, or prOJ Jects have been approved and will be carried out prior to 1921 in every commonwealth in this nation. Or, by way of com l.arison, enough roadway to span the nation between oceans four times, with something left over for a detour into Canada.
 Considering the magnitude of the crop production of the United States of the present day. it is regarded as indeed fortunate that there are so many miles of good roads for the hauling to market In fact, there IS little doubt that the increased mile age of usable highways has proven a vital factor in increasing crop pro duction and enhancing the nations wealth. as statistics testify.
 The various commOnwealthss simply fIounGercd when good roads were considered. Some were progressive, the majority indifferent. It was evil dent that federal aid and supervision were necessary to convince the peo- pie. The first chapter in the success ful story of good roads construction was written in 1912 when Congress voted an appropriation of S5OO,OOO for experimental purposes This was expended in worth while demonstra- tiOns, and so successful were they that in 1916 little effort was re- ouired 10 get a bill through Congress for an appropriation of S75.OOO,OOO, to be expended in five years, together with s1,O0O,OOO a year for roads in national parks and forest reserves.
 This sum was augmented this year. however, by a supplemental 7p- rropriation of $2O0. 100000 for the states and $3.OOO,0OO annually for the parks and forests, carrying the work to 1921. This was a grand total of s275. 900 for the general work, and Sl9.O0O. 900 for the forests.
 But this appropriation has not been entirely expended, even on paper. Up to August 31, 1919, the 15,069 miles of road planned, under way or actually constructed, had cost but S172.O7S.7SS. of which the Federal Government had contributed s7O,715,- T43. Although the plan was to have the Federal Government contribute dollar for dollar with the states, this is not always done as the United States cannot expend more than S20,- ono a mile. In many cases states l,oz-o desired road improvement in -,a-+tc,,1arIv lnfavorable localities, and in these instances the states have gladly paid the excess costs of con ztruction. This accounts for the dis crenancv in the figures cited.
 The pioneers of the good roads movement naturally are pleased with the success of their persistent cru sade and are not backward in award ing President Wilson and his Demo- cratic colleagues the credit for the achievement.