Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-03-23
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
MUST COME SHORTLY
Good Roads Advocates Pushing
Bill in Senate for National
Highway System Comprising
2 Main Lines in Each State

A great deal of difference of opinion
has been expressed by various federal
aid good roads advocates throughout
the United States, which has probably
accounted for the fact that very little
money has been appropriated by the
federal government for national high
ways. The Boise Commercial club is
in receipt of a letter from A. F. Be-
ment, vice president of the Lincoln
highway, stating that the American
Association of State Highway Officials
and Highway Industries association,
the American Automobile association
and the Lincoln Highway association
had now agreed on a new bill which
was presented by Charles E. Townsend
of Michigan in the senate week be-
fore they adjourned. This bill would
mean great deal more federal aid for
the state of Idaho than any previous
bill, and Is considered better in its
construction than any bill yet present
ed. Various local organizations will,
therefore, be asked to work for this
adoption when congress again con-
venes. The basic provisions of the
proposed federal highway bill are as
follows:
Creates federal highways commits
sion to consist of five members to be
appointed by the president, with ad-
vice and consent of the senate" to- be
chosen from different geographical
sections of the Union and not more
than three to be of the same political
party.
Commissioners are to be appointed
for terms of three, four, five, six and
seven years, but successors each to be
appointed for full seven years.
Commissioners to devote entire time
to work of commission and to receive
salary of $4,000 per year.
Commission to employ a chief engi-
neer, other engineers. experts, etc.
Three members Of commission form
a quorum.
NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM.
Commission is authorized to lay out,
construct and maintain national
highway system, ito comprise not less
than two main line roads in each
state" entirely at the expense of the
federal government.
The state highway departments are
to be asked to recommend the routes
ed in the national system.
The commission is to determine the
order in which the routes forming the
national system are to be improved and
the type of construction to be used.
The national highways must be con-
structed of such durable types and ade-
quate widths of surface as will effec-
lively meet the present and future
traffic needs. al
rne secretary Of war Is permitted to
ohinery or equipment which may be
| sultab'> for the use of the commits
sion.
| Each state legislature must assent to
the provisions of the act before money
will be expended in the state Assent
of governor is sufficient until the leg
islature meets.
! The state must provide without ex-
pense to the United States a right of
way not less than so feet wide.
The commission is to encourage and
stimulate efficient transportation over
all highways in the United States and
to collect and publish data Of benefit
to the people.
The commission is to take over all
duties and functions of the office of
public roads Of the department of ag-
riculture.
$425, 100000 AVAILABLE.
The act appropriates for the ex-
penses OF the commission and for the
construction of the national highways
system as follows:
TO be Immediately available, $780,
100000.
000, 900.
For year beginning July /. 1921.
500. 900. 900. +
800, 000, 900.
For the year beginning July J..
1923, 3100.000,000.
Total. s4a5.ooo, 900.
hacn years appropriations after de-
Quoting expenses of Commission. q n
be apportioned for expenditure in the
various states as follows: