The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-08-29
TOWNSEND BILL
 ID ESTABLISH
 NATIONAL POLICY

to establish a national highway policy to create a federal highway commis- siCn which shall locate, construct and maintain entirely at the expense of the United States a national highway system, and to encourage efficient and economical highway transportation.
 This statement embodies the main purpose of the Townsend bill, a meas ure now pending in the congress of the United States. This measure was introduced by Senator Townsend, chairman of the senate committee on post office and post roads. on June 2. 1913, read twice and referred to the proper committee on June 3, where it now awaits further consideration fol- lowing the disposal of other import ant legislation.
 Taking up it's provisions in more detail, the purpose of the Townsend bill is to enlarge and concentrate the administrative powers of the govern ment in its relation to road building. It proposes to do this by creating a special body having exclusive charge of the administration of federal high way affairs. It proposes to concen- trate this enlarged power by laying out certain definite policy of high way construction and setting the new ly created power to the accomplish ment of that task.
 Not an .Expedient
 The Townsend bill is not an exped tent. It is framed to provide for the future. It recognizes the fact that the increased use of the public high ways of the United States has brought about condition which requires all s-I@ for the other but each assigned to a certain definite part of the logical con- nections at the boundary lines of each state, and the state highway depart ments on the other hand developing the main market routes within state jurisdiction.
 It is the purpose of the Townsend bill to clothe the Federal highway con- mission with initiatory powers in ord CT to insure the economical location and development of the national sys- tenn. It will be in no wise dependent upon the other factors outside of it. self In the location of the proposed national line it will take counsel with the states. Having taken counsel it will proceed with the construction of the system along the lines that will render the greatest good to the gratest number.
 The one great purpose of the Town send bill is to get somewhere in fitting the roads to modern use in response to modern demands. It seeks to get the work done and put cost reducing roads into full operation throughout the en- tire country at the very earliest date possible. -. Village Possible.
 The Townsend pill makes certain provisions as to milage. It proposes that the national highway system shall comprise not less than two per cent nor more than five per cent of the total m:lage actually used as such in any state. To this extent each state will be relieved of future construction and maintenance of whatever, milage may be embraced in the national sys tenn Each state therefore will bene fit to the extent of having it's financia burden lifted in the construction and permanent maintenance of it's heaviest traffic lines leaving it free to develop connecting lines within its own bor der
 In proposing the creation of a feder al highway commission for the con struction and development of Ameri can HlSHWdyS upptt SCdlc GoiiiihCH surate with the need of the present and to make adequate proysiion fol the future. the Townsend bill is pro ceeding upon the logical Lines of na tional growth.
 Public highways have reached a de gree of importance in public service which calls for broadening of admin istrative powers and the placing o such administration upon an equa footing with other departments of tle government. This the Townsend bil proposes to do without taking from but adding to the functions of the state highway deparments. It proposes t do this by establishing a definite per manent policy of practical and effect i've cooperation. to the end that complete system Of county, state an national highways may begin servin; the public within the present decade