Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-01-14
IMPROVE OUR HIGHWAYS
Senator Bankhead Demands Support Of
Measure That Is Important to
New Mexican Interests
Would Utilize Road Construction Ma.
teriai and Equipment az War De
partmeut on Home Roads

man OF the Committee ON POStOfficps
and Roads. to which all highways leg
islation In the upper branch of congress
IL referred. In commenting upon the
hills now pending. recently made this
plea for ''roads at home:
'The war showed what the national
strength could accomplish In the swift
construction OF rapid-trnnsit highways
and the use thereon Of rnpid-translt We.
hicles.
"rhe nation trained its engineer
corps and sent them to Europe. equip
ped for the-qnick construction of roads.
The pnri which the United States
took In the decisive campaign was rem
lered possible by the use of automo-
hiles and meteor trucks over rapid.
transit highways.
Now that the war IL over the ques-
tlon arises. are not highways as VI
tally important for the conduct Of
peace as they were for the conduct OF
war? With half the world going to
bed hungry every nigh tand millions
doomed To starvation. Is not the swift
construction of the highway TO the acre
that produces as urgent n necessity ns
were the roads In the battle zone? And
II the Is as urgent shiuld the na-
ton slacken its cffort or permit its
road-building equipment 60 be- sold or
liSslpated? Should II not rather In
crease It's efforts In this direction and
proceed with the construction of high
ways ot home on scale cOmmensu-
rate with the Importance and urgency
Of the need?
ut Is for the congress of the Uaited
States to answer these questions.
Measures are pending designed 10 meet
the situation. three OF which are Ms fol.
lows:
I. Joint resolution 200. authorizing
the transfer from the war department
Ia the department of agriculture of all
available dispensable and suitable war
material for distribution to the high.
way departments Of the several states
for use on the highways
"2 Senate hill 5OSs Increasing the
present unexpended appropriation Of
present unexpendcd appropriation of
about S60,OO0.000 for road purposes by
the addition of $125. zoo. 900 for expend-
tures to June. 1920. and sl00,0O0.000
n year thereafter for four years. II Is
also proposed to increase the appropri-
alton for national forest roads of
$1,000 600 n year IN the present 10-year
road-building program by II sum suf-
icient To construct 1000 miles OF
forest roads. which the government has
already planned and which are neces.
Sary IN order to utilize the vast re-
sources Of the national forests. The es.
tnnGted cost Of these roads Is $40. O.00O.-
W0 Amendments to the present road
net referring II from undesirable limi-
iations are also planned. one of which
will enable the government to construct
at its own cost links IN important high
ways which could otherwise he con
structed.
- House hill l330S carries an ap-
preparation of 81 100000 for an exten.
sion of the motor-truck parcel post
service. This Is an increase from the
$3O0.000 provided in the last postof- !
lice appropriation bill. which also an.
fhOrized the war department To trans.
fer To the postoffice department motor
trucks for which Il had no further
use. Under last years appropriation
- motor truck routes were established. /
all hut one of which were operated easr (
of the Mississippi River. The results,
even In the initial stage. are such as To
warrant nm increase IN the number NJ |
routes and their extension To the
trans Mississippi region. where rail'and
water facilities Of transportation are
altogether inadequate. The proposed
transfer Of 10000 motor trucks from
the war department 10 the postoflice
department renders IL possible 10 make
- great extension of this service at Il
minimum cost. II Is proposed 10 in
crease the appropriation for this ser.
slice to $1O.O0O,O00. To store these
trucks would cost SGO0,OO0 year To
dump them on the market would be dis
astrouS. To turn them loose to aid ag-
riculture in the movement Of farm
products 10 the consumer would be
craftsmanship. To adopt such pol.
icy would be hut 10 follow historic
precedent.
'Senate hill 50SS has the approval
of President Wilson and Secretaries
Houston and Baker, The proposition
not TO lessen the national endeavor In
road construction now that peace has
come. hut merely to transfer the scene
0f action from Europe 10 the homeland
IL hut the response To n universal de-
inand. The public reJoices to see the
trophies OF war now being brought {
back from Europe. Equally popular
will he the sight of machines that built ;
the United States road to the Rhine nj
work building connecting highways '
from Canada 10 the southern bound
AIRY aud from the Atlantic TO the Pa 4
cihc through every state Ia the Union. :
GOvernOr-elect Henry J. Allen OF !
Kansas. while In Washington the 9th !
er day. was interviewed. and his good v