Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-24
RAIL OPERATION PROBLEM
PUTS HIGHWAYS FORWARD
National System, Co-orlinatcd With
state and County Lines, Urged for
Stable transportation Service.
WILL REDUCE COST OF FOOD
Radius OF Highway Haul Is Being
Gradually Extended As Modern
Roads Arc Being BuiIt-Wpstcful
Methods Being Eliminated.

WASHINGTON, August 23.-Thc pos
sloiuty oil another period Of transport
iaaion congestion is once more bring
ihS the public highway to the front.
While 1t Is admitted that the rail-
ways must necessarily form the ma
IONS long distance transportation
ines the auxiliary power of the pub
nc road. through the development of
the gasoline engine and the motor
Venicie is receiving thoughtful atten-
tion IN Official circles.
Public discussion OF high-cost prob
lens and the railway situation ran into
me country roads at two points during
touched was that the public highway
is potential short-haul freight and
express line. and that with Il national
system OF improved roads. interscct-
ing each state north, south, east and
west. there VIII thus be constructed
tn. basis OF a comprehensive, nation
wide system OF traffic arteries with
which State and county systems may
connect
Predicts Great Development.
With such system provided, the
aeveiopment of freight and express
yond comprehension. It's advocates as
sert that the motor truck as it APP
pears on the public highway today is
Will be once the public roads are built
to permit it's enlarged use.
Those VINO doubt the possibilities
OF the highway freight and ,-press
as factors in the reduction and siAoilz-
ing OF food costs are told 81 look back
over the Development OF the railway
and note that the beginning was upon
a basis far less promising as a prac-
tical proposition than the basis upon
whicn the gasoline driven vehicle
stands today.
Dropping back to the poin, Of short
haul delivery, attention Is being called
10 the FACT that the radius Of Highway
shipping Is being gradually extended
as modern roads are being built. Adj
rocatcs OF national Highway sys-
tern. the creation or which is provided
for In the Townsend bill now pending
in Congress. have encountered the ar
Eument that approximately nifty miles
is the maximum Of motor delivery.
Their answc. Is that while this may
be true, IL is true only AT the present
time because OF the Illogical conncc-
tons and the general conditions OF the
road.
The same economic conditions which
forced railway Development is forcing
national development OF tho public
highway, and the advocates Of "a ma
tIonal highway system assert that each
days discussions OF tho present economic
situation produces additional reasons
why the Federal government must get
down 70 highway building on ma
tion-wide scale and in dead earnest. o.
In sense. the Legislative mind at
Washington seems 10 be approaching
the prcscn, phase Of economic prob
ness. "Will We ever get anything
really finished" is question which
seems TO express their feelings, since
many problems, like the proverbial
cat. keep coming back.
But one fact seems 10 be making
Itself very clear, and that is that since
the public highway is ,he first lap be-
tween the producer and consumer. the
logical place 10 begin cutting down
living costs is by eliminating perma-
ncntly the timc-consUm!ns and fuel
wasting roads.
To accomplish this purpose the con-
struction OF a national highway sys-
TEN as a necessary and logical con-
ncction with State and county systems
is being looked upon with increased
favor!