Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-11-18
STATE COUNCIL
ORGANIZED FOR
ROAD PROBLEMS
Arizona People Through
New Association w i'll
Consider Legislation On
Behalf of Highways

Following an all day session, at
which the provisions OF the Townsend
bill calling for the establishment of a
latinoal highway system were fully eX
planned, state council of the federal
highway council was created in Phoe-
nix yesterday at meeting of the Of
Ulcers and directors of the Arizona
Good Roads association at the Arizona
club
The purpose Of the newly formed
council is to consider all points raised
both for and against the proposed leg
islation and prepare such recommen-
dations as considered advisable in the
matter of federal highway legislation.
The officers and directors of the Ari-
iona Good Roads association will serve
the same capacity with this advisory
body until the next general session of
the state organization at Tucson, jan
iary 20.
The meeting yesterday, which was
presided over by Dwight y. Heard,
chairman, was called largely for the
purpose of hearing S. II. Williams,
chairman of the federal highway coun-
ell, give his views on the Townsend
bill and to get a general idea of the
attitude Arizona will take in regard TO
Its provisions
Demands Definite Step
The present economic situation
throughout the entire country demands
mat definite steps be taken in clearing
the traffic channels between the pro-
Queer and consumer" Williams tolS
his audience. I'VE are finally awak
ening TO the fact that TRANSPORTATION
Is the foundation upon which the pros
perity of our institution and our very
ives must depend, and that the public
highway is prime factor. In spite OF
he handicap which the use of the
highway has had to overcome due tC
"a lack of dependable highways and
definate systems, its use has increased
from 500 TO 800 per cent in the last
ten years"
Mr.. Williams said that in order tC
meet this situation 1t Is necessary fol-
our country to decide upon a definite
plan of development.
The federal highway council, com
posed Of men throughout the entire
country prominently identified in theil
various communities with highway de.
velopment, is recommending the adop.
ton of plan providing for a definite
system of national, state and count,
highways, and as beginning toward
mat plan, is supporting the Townsend
bill" Mr.. Williams said.
Provisions of Bill
The Townsend bill was introduced
by Senator Chas. Il. Townsend. chair.
man of the senate committee on post
office and post roads, The bill pro.
vides for a federal highway commits
sion and the establishment of a ma.
tional system of highways to be o.
structetd and maintained by the fed
eral government without obligation OF
he part of the states.
According 10 Mr.. Williams, once tn,
system is established it will serve Z
connect the state systems to the ma
tional system of roads and in turn
he county systems to the state sys
TENS, thereby giving the country
complete system Of national, state an,
county highways. In explaining tn
probable effects Of the Townsend bill
II passed, Mr.. Williams said:
1T proposes to enlarge and concen
trate the administrative powers Of tn
government in its relation TO roa,
building. II will do this by creating
special body having exclusive charg
Of the administration of federal high
way affairs This enlarged power wi
be concentrated through a certai
definate policy Of highway construc
ton which the newly created powe
VIII be expected to carry out"
Mr.. Williams pointed out that tn
provisions Of the bill cannot be con
sidered as an expedient but as a def
mite provision for the future.
"All Hands On Job"
The bill recognizes the increase
use of the public highways of tn
United States has brought about
condition which requires all hands O
the job" he said. 1.-The nation, stat
and county must act in unison, eac
one assigned to a certain definate pal
in developing the entire plan. II pre-
poses 10 clothe the Federal Highwa
commission with initiatory powers
order to insure the economical locatio
and development OF the national sys
TEN. The commission will be In r
way dependent upon factors outside
itself In the location of the propose
national system II will take counc
with the states and having take
council will proceed with the cor
struction of the system along lines tn;
viii render the greatest good to IL
greatest number. The one great pun
pose Of the national plan is to z,
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