The Washington herald., 1919-06-08
GOOD ROADS BILL
WINS APPROVAL
Head of "A. A. A. Indorses
Townsend Measure
Now in Congress.

Excellent Judgment has been
shown by Senator Townsend. Chair
man OF the Post once and Post
Roads Committee in the National
Highway bill reintroduced in Con-
gress last week, to meet the diff
culties confronting the enterprise in
the eastern and far western states
respectively" says President Dawn
Jameson, OF the American Automo-
bile Association. 1T has been con-
states have already substantially
progressed toward building their
main highways and that a national
measure should recognize and re-
ward this effort. 1t is also pointed
out that in most of the far western
states the Federal government is a
very heavy land owner. holding in
some ten of the states more than
30 per cent Of the area, and that
this condition should entitle those
states to a greater relative degree
Of conside ration than would oe
given the states where the Federal
holdings are small.
Build on $3.50 BasIs.
Every mile of highway on the
National system constructed by the
states of a standard deemed suftici-
ent by the Federal Highway Com
mission will be Incorporated in the
National system and an equivalent
mileage of state highway con-
structed by the Federal government
by way OF recompense. This will
fully recognize the great outlay and
the progressive spirit of some of the
states in main highway construc-
tion. In the states where Uncie
Sam Is a great land owner the mile
age OF the National highway sys-
TEN will be increased according to
tht. area held as Federal domain
These two excellent provisions
guarantee a common sense equity,
in the. administration OF the Town
send bill
Objects Arc SPECIFIC.
definite purpose. with definite
means OF accomplishment. are spe-
clncally set forth in the measure.
A connected highway system of ma
tional Importance limited to not less
than two per cent not more than
four per cent of the highways
throughout the nation is the object
clearly set forth in the bill. Its
method of accomplishment is
through the medium of n Federal
Highway Commission with well de-
fined responsibilities. There will be
no twilight zone in which the pur-
pose and scope of the Federal ac-
tiyities become confused or conflict
ing. Equally definite is the provi-
sion that the system. because of it's
national Importance. shall be paid
for out of the Federal Treasury. and
to this end an appropriation of
s425. .000. .006 available over a five
year period is provided.
while the federal agency is give n
power and made responsible for
surveys. construction. repair and
maintenance. a provision of the bill
enables the commission to utilize
the facilities of the state highway
departments for this work on a
practical basis of cooperation.
Another wise provision of the act
is to meet conditions in those states
which have large sums from bond
issues available for immediate ex-
penditure. In such cases the COM
mission may arrange it with the
State To go ahead ard build it's part
of the National System and be re-
imbursed out of the Federal ap-
preparations.
The administration of the Fed
eral Aid Road Act is transferred
from the Secretary of Agriculture
to the Federal Highway Commission.
but all possibility of conflict with
state laws IS removed by requiring
that the Secretary Of Agriculture
shall cooperate with the commits
sion whenever it is necessary to
wet the wording Of state statutes.