Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-01

Department can do this only if 1t
gives it's entire time. attention and
resources to that particular job"
The Program
1t was explained to Senator Pen
rose, that Governor Sprouts plans
call for primary road system OF
about $500 miles; that certain por-
ttons of this system are to be built
in 1919; that the balance of the
system will be constructed, by a
definite schedule, in 1920, 1921 and
1929 that score of Pennsylvania
counties have promised that during
these four years, they will devote
| approximately $25,000,000 to the
construction of intra- county systems
! of secondary highways. which, with
the States primary roads, will cob
web these counties with all-weather
| highways; that townships every
where express an inclination to join
! the State and counties in road build
! ing, and that these townships plan
! tertiary systems; that Pennsylvania
! at large is interested in better thor
oughfares to an extent hitherto un-
! known.
"In Washington for the last few
! MONTHS said Senator Penrose, i
nave bCNli llNtli ms At SOOu bVtAi si'SN'
| Pennsylvania and its road program.
| l have heard that Pennsylvania is
| leading the Nation in its plans for
better highways. 1t has been par
| ticularly remarkable that Governor
Sproul and the State Highway De-
partment have introduced a novelty
and that novelty is the announce
ment that a definite program is TO be
followed wear by year regardless of
t,,, ion,
of the program and an inspection
of the tentative plans, I can we'll
understand why such good reports
are being spread about the country.
| am a pioneer among goodroad
enthusiasts, and for years | have
been urging construction by State
and Nation. To-day. / am very glad
to say, | can see that Pennsylvania
has passed the talking stage and has
reached the stage where real work
has begun. The people of PennsYl-
Vania have confidence in Governor
Sproul: and they have every reason
for that confidence. And while con-
ditions are such that the roads the
Governor plans will cost slightly
moro than in ordinary times, it is
necessary that work start at once
and continue until the primary sys
tenn is completed
Senator Penrosc asked many ques-
tions relative TO the primary and
secondary roads. He displayed an
intimate knowledge of conditions
throughout the state and asked for
! information relative to a number OF
particular stretches of highway in
various parts of Pennsylvania.
What type of construction is the
department recommending? he
asked.
! The type best suited to the needs
! of the various territories" he was
told. "And in this regard particu-
! lar attention is given the accessible
| ity of materials"
National Road Legislation
The Senator has in mind national
road legislation for which, he says,
there exists a great necessity.
"The Congress-" he said, should
approve the national highway sys-
! tenn as suggested by the Federal
! Highway Council. If this were
adopted. 1t would give Pennsylvania
one east-wcst road-either the Lin
| coin or the William Penn highway
and n north-south road. Both of
these trans-Pennsylvania thorough
| fares would be of national impor-
tance. Congress having committed
! itself to the national highway sys-
tenn program. it would naturally
follow that it should assume the
cost of constructing n large portion
| of the system.
"It is also my opinion" continued
! Senator Penrose. that Congress
should provide for the reimburse
ment of PENNSYLVANIA for the ter
Irible damage done translate thor
! oughfares for the last two years
through the passage through this
State of army truck trains carrying
war materials from Western points
! to the Atlantic seaboard, to Wash
ington and to army camps. If an
act of Congress were passed con-
taining q provision of this sort, 1t
would affect only six States-New
York. New Jersey. Delaware, Ohio
land Pennsylvania. IT would only be
fair were the Nation to reimburse
these States for the losses they sus-
Itained. ! favor this legislation. l
favor all legislation which will give
this country of ours not only main
/ highways of an all-weather. all
season nature, but back roads
which will enable the farmer to get
to the main thoroughfares We have
been n long time on the way, but
we are reaching the end of the bad
/ y
I glad to say, occupies its habitual
place at the head of the procession.
81 am glad to take this opportuni-
! ty to commend the selection of
Lewis S. Sadler, of Carlisle, as High
way Commissioner. His appointment
seems to me to be an ideal one and
has been generally approved. Since
| tho new Commissioner assumed Of
flee and came in contact with many
people from all sections of tho State,
he has made a most favorable inn
! preston. AS the executive head of
the Council of National Defense,
he showed marked executive ability,
and the achievements of the Penn
| sylvania Defense Organization were
! considered to rank among the fore
most of any State in the Union. In
fact, the Federal Government was
enabled to leave nearly everything
to the PENNSYLVANIA body. Mr. Sad
! ler's high standing as a business
man inspires confidence everywhere
that the many millions or dollars to
be spent in improvement of high
ways in Pennsylvania, will be used
| honestly and effectively. The State