The Washington herald., 1919-06-29
CAR OWNERS WANT
ROAD ACT AMENDED

Congress will be asked by the or
zanized motor car owners OF the
country to amend the Federal aid
road act in such a manner that the
Joint federal and State money shall
only be expended upon roads which
are included in well defined State
highway systems. Furthermore, II
will be set forth that the Secretary of
Agriculture should be empowered. In
passing upon the projects submitted
by the several State highway depart
ments, whenever in his judgment both
intrastate and interstate needs can
best be served to decide that the fed
-eraI apportionment of cost can be IN
screased to 75 per cent, instead OF the
.present haIf-and-haf PLAN
Besides taking this action in regard
10 existing federal road legislation.
the American Automobile Association
in its annual meeting strongly en-
dorsed the Townsend bill calling for
. a federal highway system and fed
'ersl commission. since that measure.
lust introduced in Congress. contains
the principles for which the national
motorist organization has contended
for some time past.
In the election of officers the A. A
A. recognized Nhat since woman Is
now going to extend her activities IN
MANY directions it is also her duty
to help along the countrywide i'm
provement Of highways. Mrs Robert
Lee Morrell, of New York City was
Included in the list of vice presidents
and upon being notified Of the unani-
nous action of the convention lmIne-
diately wired her acceptance OF once
and entire willingness to call upon
Of
states for a vigorous cooperation TO
secure a federal road plan TO suppie-
rnent the State systems.
As usual the meeting was attended
by former presidents Of the A. A. n.
these three being present: DR.. II. M.
, Howe. of Maryland. John A Wilson
Of Franklin. Pa, and Robert 2. Hoo-i
ner of Philadelphia. 1t is character
istic Of the associations past chlet
aoficers that they invariably continue
active in the affairs of the organiza-
tion which now has a total member
ship in excess Of 100000.
David Jameson. of Pennsylvania.
, without opposition was returned 10
the presidency, and the other vice
presidents named besides Mrs Nor
reIl were Ralph w. Smith. OF Colo
rado; p. ]. Walker. Of California; II.
]. Clark, Of Minnesota; Clifford Ire
Land, of Illinois; DR.. John III. Quayie:
of Ohio, and DR.. R. r. Elmore, OF
Kentucky. H. A. Bonnell, of New Jer-
sey. continues as treasurer. John N.
SRrooks. of Connecticut, as secretary,
and A. Batchelder, OF washington
and A. q. Batchelder, of Washington.
The question Of a transcontinental
reliability run in 1900, from New York
CITY to San Francisco. for the Gid :.
den team trophy. the A. A. A 2.ooo
cup for the touring car class. and the :
Anderson trophy for runabouts, was
referred to Chairman Kennerden and
his contest board associates. 1t Is
o,iite possible that the event will be
scheduled for the late summer Of
.iseo.
Beautifcation of roadsides, relief to
states possessing large federal areas
from which no income accrues, the
construction of great roads in honor
OF distinguished Americans, ways and
means for stopping motor car steal
ing, present tendency to place upon
motorists new forms OF taxation. and
how to provide for motor truck trans
portation without interfering with or
unduly taxing other highway users
were among the subjects discussed.
A great deal of interest was man.
Sfested at the big Indianapolis race
Just held on May 81. in the four
French racing cars brought over by
Jules Maliot built in 10 days spec
tally for this race. The cars were
made at the Ballot company's fac
tory. Paris. and hauled on motor
trucks from Paris to Havre. then
by the steamer. "Espagne," to New
York. the cars being loaded directly
of the motor trucks into the ships
hold. but a few hours before time
for the ship to sail.
IT is significant that although the
drivers of these cars showed great
pride in exhibiting them as all
French. the tire equipment applied
was distinctly American. as all of
them were shod with Goodyear cord
tires of the straight side type. In
the race. however. these cars did
not show the speed expected. as
only one of them came within the
money and could do no better than
cspture fourth place.