Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-02-20
COMMUNICATIONS
To the Editor:

To the Editor:
Everybody is talking reconstruc-
ton and each has his own pet theory
of what ought to be done first. I've
got one too. The fundamental need,
to my mind, is roads-good roads
hard roadside kind that will stand
up under modern traffic.
"A friend who sells trucks told me
the other day that the rear axle of
his six-ton truck weighed 1900
pounds and that rs per cent of the
load carried goes to the rear wheels.
Is il any wonder that roads bullt Tor
light traffic have gone TO pieces
Motor truck transportation coin-
- ore snringing up in every
effsty don't stop at the rated capacity
of the truck. If the route is mostly
over concrete road, six-ton truck
will frequently carry 10 tons Imag-
Inc the effect on those stretches of
the route that are not well improved
But six tons isn't going to be the
limit, and there's no telling what
their loads will be.
Now, / wouldn't say that road
building was the fundamental recon-
struction need if it weren't that these
motor truck transportation COM
Panles are changing our whole sy-
stem OF interchange of goods. Wen
have rural delivery routes, motorized
with Uncle Sans war trucks some
of these days. Fourth Assistant
Postmaster Blakslee says, We're
asking Congress for 100000 to
motorize parcel post routes next year
and l think that it will be appropri-
ated."
But what is a truck without a con-
crete road? Where does the tourist
go these days? Does he follow the |
earth and macadam roads that were
standard when automobiles first an
peared? No. The heaviest auto traf- |
nc Is where there is a better type of |
road to travel over and it's the same
way with trucks. Well have as many
as were got roads for them to ne
gotiate.
In general commodities move east
and west or north and south. Before
our bodybuilding job is done we've
got to have networks but the first
step to finish such long stretches as
the Lincoln and Dixie highways. The
OBJECT lessons of millions of tons of
freight moving on schedule from city
10 city, over these two main high
ways, will bring the network. tying
all towns together in every state. {
No fair-minded man will disagree I
with me when | state that the build
ing OF concrete roads should 90 on
everywhere and that Federal aid '
should be literally given. II we can
just succeed in impressing on Con I
gress the need for generous aid. the :
national government TO furnish so
per cent, the state 20 to 25 per cent 4,
and the county 25 to 30 per cent. we b
VIII get somewhere with our roads /
well see the Lincoln and Dixie paved a
1rst and lots more 20 come. d
when we get such system we'll b
lave freight and express delivered
'heaper by truck than in any other \
way
Just imagine what it would mean u
o you personally if you could iump =,
INTO your car at your own door and ~
rive to New York or San Francisco =
IN perfectly even concrete road. h
hat is what is coming.
And just imagine the advantage d,
being able to flag a big, roomy
rotor truck, passing your door at r
ocular intervals and to consign al
rates, calves, canary birds and
christmas packets to the very door A
I the consignee--all over the roads
nd at top speed. M
All this will come quicker when OF
ongress sees the need and I'm going r
do my da-est to see that thew
e IL. George II. Van Pelt.
9Ol Prairie ave Joilaf m w