Arizona republican., 1919-09-30
Federal Highway Commission


 Realizing that the solving of the great economic problem involved in the proper administration and development of the highways of the United States is the work of a national highway commission rather than by bureau of department of the federal government. civic and highway organizations every where urging support of the Townsend bill in troduced in the in June for the purpose the bill states, of establishing national highway sys- tenn, creating federal highway commission, encour- aging efficient and economical highway transporta- ton, and for other purposes
 As the federal highway council has stated noth ing is of more vital importance every man, woman and child in country than the subject of definite national highway policy, provided for in this bill lf it is right proper that the be required create highway departments preferably highway commissions separate and distinct from all other de- partments of their states. before being permitted participate in federal aid for highway construction, it is even more important that in the federal ad- mnistration Of highways there be created national commission. with broad powers and not limited nor hampered by connection control of any other de- partment.
 With the establishment of a national highway system such is provided for in the Townsend bill the states will be enabled deal directly in all mat tcrs of importance with a commission having authority 10 decide and to act That CO., operation with such national highway commission would be of far greater value than with bureau possessing but secondary powers attested by 6S highway officials repre- senting 42 states.
 The Townsend bill authorizes and directs to be established system of highways in the United 10 be composed of not less than per cent than per cent of the total highway mileage actually such in any state less than per cent nor than per cent of the total highway mileage actually used as such all the states. The highways 10 be thus constructed by the national commission afford convenient ingress to and egress from each at less than three points and to con- meet with highways forming a part of the national system in adjoining states.
 There are to be three members of the commission appointed by president by and with the advice of the senate. They to be chosen from different geographical sections the United States not more than being of the political party. The mem bers of the commission first appointed continue office for terms of two, four six years their successors to be appointed for terms of six years The salary is to be s1OOOO year.
 In the selection of highways to be constructed reconstructed. improved maintained repaired the national highway commission is to consult with the highway departments commissions of the various states. The national highway system, according to the terms of the bill, shall not include any highway in municipality having population of 1000 except where the houses average POO feet apart The highways to be not less than S6 feet in width except where impossible or impractcable.
 For the purposes of this bill it is provided that there shall be immediately appropriated and at once available s5OOOOOOO with s75oOOOOO for the first year. beginning July 1920 and s1O0OOOO 900 for each of the three succeeding years
 There should be no delay in the establishment of definite national highway policy. Unless is done at once much of the highway work of the states splendid although it may be and of character to be commended and emulated, Will be wasted, through it's impracticability to be co-ordinated into a national system The government should take this most important matter into it's own hands and immediately outline policy of national highway con- struction and the selection of adequate system.