The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-26
NATURALIZATION
Of HIGHWAYS IS
URGED Of SOLONS

WASHINGTON, July 1s-over two
score Of bills already introduced in the
special session Of the seth congress
make evident the positiss demand that
is developing all over the United States
for nationalised highways and more
complete control Of federal expenditures
on roads by the government.
Though the extra session Is yet young,
some 40 bills having highways as their
major theme have been dropped into
the legislative hopper, while more than
a score OF others which deal with the
road situation to a greater or lesser
degree are now on file.
Chief among these In interest, OF
course, Is the measure OF Senator
Charles i. Townsend, or Michigan. pro-
yiding for a national system of high
ways, a federal highway commission
and a thorough study or the principles
governing transportation.
This bill was first introduced at the
last session, Since then 1t has been
subjected to a nation wide criticism,
with the result that m pow
erful organizations have gone on rec
ord favoring IL as a bill which treats
the Albject in the broadest and
with due consideration for the varying
needs of the respective states.
Evidently the present bureau plan OF
federal road administration does not
now meet with countrywide favor, as
aside from the Townsend measure sew
eral others have been introduced which
would create a radically different form
of control. For instance Senator Wes-
ley Jones, Of Washington, calls for the
creation OF a department of public
works, which would among its other
duties include all that is now done by
the bureau Of public roads. Representa-
L tiyn nGhnrna nf ltaltfnFnfo uTpItfA ore
ate q department OF federal highways
and establish a national highway sys-
tenn, while Representative Reavis, OF
Nebraska, introduces in the house tho
same measure as is sponsored In the
senate by Mr.. Jones.
Senator Morris Sheppard, of Texas
Is the author OF one bill calling for Q
military highway along the Southwest.
ern border. while Representative Hay
den, of AriNDna, also would have the
war department at once undertake a
survey and investigate the need for
boundary road. Representative Hubs
peth, OF Texas, has about the same
idea, except that he would not delay
In starting the building of such a mill
tary highway.
Senator Jones, Of Washington, would
have a survey Of the entire Pa
cifio coast for the purpose of investi.
eating the need of a military road. He
'NNtAA tsA0S RtA IVY @AhA ASAANN " hAAhA y
and post road from ST. Louis, Mo, &c
Olympia, Wash.
Representative Lea. of California, pro-
poses a highway for military coast de-
Tense purposes along the Northern Pa
cific coast OF his state, to be known as
the Roosevelt highway. Mr.. Hawley
of Oregon, seconds this idea and calls
for the construction of the Roosevelt
highway along the coast Of his com
monwealth.
Senator Shields, OF Tennessee, would
authorize the secretary of war to pre-
pare a preliminary plan for a system
81 improved national highways, keeping
In mind possible future military re-
Quirements.
Representative Robinson. of Ken
lucky, asks for an increase of 81, 600,
900, 900 to present federal aid road act
appropriations; while Representative
900, 900 should be added.
Many OF the Rocky Mountain states
representatives have rathered meas
ures which would provide for the sale
OF public lands for use In road i'm
provement, n of the most important
Of these bills coming from Senator
Phipps. OF Colorado.
There are a number Of bills which
call for special appropriations for the
construction of national park thorough
fares, memorial roads, and military
highways,
Delegates Kslanianoie, OF Hawaii,
contends that this territory should par
ticipate In the distribution Of the money
appropriated under the FEDERAL aid road
act.
Senator King. Of Utah, believes that
the national forests should be returned
TO the department of the interior, in
stead OF being administered by the de-
partment OF agriculture, which arrange
ment, 1t will be remembered traces
back to the Roosevelt administration,
when the change was made to meet the
wishes Of Clifford Pinchot, the then
chief forester, A powerful sentiment
undoubtedly exists for the return OF ths
forest reserves to the secretary Of the
interior.
1T is interesting to note in analyz-
ing the measures that the demand
comes from all sections Of the United
States" comments Chairman George
C, Diehl, Of the A. A, A. national good
roads board, Showing that the nov
ment for national highways is a genu-
Inc growth and that the roads question
has passed beyond sectional stages"