The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-10-06
PLAN NATIONAL
SUPERVISION OF
ROAD BUILDING
sY =. W. mLAUcHLrN.

A nationwide fight Tor favorable ac-
ton on Illinois Senate bill No. 1909,
which provides for a definite national
highway policy. is planned by the Fed
eral Highway Council Of Washington. D.
O. They have already secured the in
dorsement and COOPERATION of more
than one thousand organizations
throughout the United states. such as
chambers of commerce boards of trade.
trade organizations national and state).
rotary and Kiwanis clubs. etc
The main purpose of the bill which
was introduced by Senator Townsend.
chairman Of the senate committee on
postoffices and post roads. on June 2,
1919 Is 10 establish a national highway
policy-to create a federal highway COM
mission which shall locate. construct
and maintain entirely at the expense or
the United States national highwoy
system and 10 encourage efficient and
economical highway transportation
To Build Trunk Lines.
The bill proposed IS entirely new
piece Of legislation. in no way Interior
ring with the cooperative plan now ex-
listing among the states with the federal
government. Under this new national
highway bill II IS planned to build in
each state trunk line highways 70 the
extent of not less than per cent nor
more than per cent Of the total mileage
Of the state and TO Join them up with
the main trunk lines Of other states 30
as 10 make complete national system
of highways connecting the entire coun-
try together.
Each state will benefit therefore. .
the extent Of having its financial bur-
.4.r iFf.oI IN 4I,e cor, -rtf1f4o,, and Marin
anent maintenance Of it's heaviest traffic
lines. leaving it. free to develop connect
ing lines wi.hln its own borders.
Under the present federal aid law the
federal government has no power 10
select the roads in any one state that
will be improved. The initiative is with
the state highway departments. and in
many instances is really with the coun-
ties themselves who have put UP the
states portion Of the money.
no Unity Of Action.
The personnel Of the state highway
departments is constantly changing
and in a more or less degree the state
highway systems are changed with the
changing Of the state highway officials.
II IS. therefore. out Of the question. ac-
cording TO the sponsors OF the new bill
to expect any connected system Of roads
between the forty-eight units over which
there is no supervisory power to bring
them into accord or 10 direct them In
improving these roads that would form
national system.
Unified procedure would be assured
under the Townsend bill by vesting The
federal highway commission with initia-
tory powers i'm order to insure economi-
cal location and development Of the ma
ton system. II Will be in no wise de-
pendent upon the other factors outside
Of itself In the location OF the proposed
national system of highways it VIII
take counsel with the states after
which it viii proceed with the construc-
ton Of the system along lines that viii
render the greatest good TO the greatest
number
The bill has further made i the duty
Of the commission 20 make recon-
mendation to Congress as to tile future
operations Of the federal aid law after
1927.
Headquarters In washington.
Through its representatives all over
the United States. the federal highway
council proposed to carry its tight
through the automobile owners. farm
ers. etc. direct 10 Congress. An cxecu-
tive committed headed by s N. VIII
liams Lima. O. composed Of business
men in. every principal city. viii carry
on a campaign Of education.
AZ this is the first announcements IN
Chicago Of the plans OF the federal high
way council. no comment has been
beard Of what lines would be followed
locally.