The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-09
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BUREAU
FREDERIC J. HAEK1N. Director.
wAshinEtsn. D. c
ROADS OF REMEMBRANCE.

Washington, d. c., July 4.-Tnere
started simultaneously today from the
White House, a string of motor trucks.
those feeders of the gods of war at
the battlefront, and a campaign for
Roads of Remembrance" as monu-
ments to the accomplishments of the
drivers of these same trucks and
others associated with them in the
great war.
The trucks, a stupendous array of
them, were the vehicles that had dis
placed the army mule in the recent
unplea ntness. The campaign for
Roads of Remembrance is no less
modern since it would substitute liv-
ing trees along the roadsides for
monuments of granite and stope. The
war department is responsible for the
trip of the trucks which is to term
mate at San Francisco. and the Amer
lean Forestry association is response
BILE for the campaign of tree planting
The plan as to the roads is to re-
peat that bit of oriental history OF
centuries ago when, in Japan, the
great Ieyasu died and word went
forth that each of his landed retainers
should bring a memorial stone or
lantern to decorate the cript where he
was laid away. But one nobleman
failed. So poor was he that he could
not provide a lantern. To make
amends he planted by the sides of the
road lee ding to Nikko. rows of the
Cryptomerius trees. Now the men
who brought tablets and lanterns have
been lost to the annals of time but
passing hosts continue to bless the
poor nobleman who planted trees by
the Mike road, now one Of the most
famous thorofares in the world.
So, today. the idea is INTERCEPTED
that the route followed by these
trucks be chosen as that along which
trees of remembrance be planted for
the benefit of posterity. 1t Is sug
gested that each county thru which
this road runs be asked to line it
with little trees which. as time passes,
will be big ones like those of Nikko.
This country is just now on the eve
of a great epoch in road building. 1t
soon will spend $500, 100000 for road
building and every dollar of this will
be reflected in the profits of the users
of these roads. The motor truck oper-
ator must keep in mind constantly the
absolute necessity of having good
roads for his truck to be run over and
appreciate the economy of truck oper-
alton when the roads are of the right
sort. The last congress, shortly before
adjournment. made an extra appro-
priation of 500, 100000 in the post
office appropriation bill to meet the
federal part of the program, the fed
eral government going fifty-fifty with
the states. This work. II is estimated,
will employ more than 100000 men
in active road construction in addition
to the men engaged in the production
and furnishing of bodybuilding ma
terials. 1t affords one of the large
opportunities for profitable employ
ment for returned soldiers and sailors.
Two years ago when it became nee
| essary to concentrate great numbers
of men in environments. it was found
that the roadways connecting the can
comments with the surrounding cities
ama~- -
most part new roads had to be con-
structed. There is always the posi-
| bility of another such emergency, and
the only means of insuring facile
communications is by the construction
of surfaced roads over which motor
I trucks can operate. While the secur-
| ity of the nation in such an emergency
might depend upon good roads for
military uses, their service to the ma
ton would not be confined to military
matters. For a great portion of the
time during the past two years 90 per
cent of the railroad capacity of the
country was required for military pur-
poses. The transportation of food,
fuel and the like had ODE accom-
plished largely by means other than
rail. Some hardships were entailed.
The motor truck, however. over such
roads as were passable, rendered excel
lent service.
When the present bodybuilding pro-
gram is carried out and the total of
| improved roads is much greater than
at present, the service possibilities of
the motor truck will be correspond
| ingly increased and the safety of the
nation and the comfort of the people
more fully insured. Likewise will the
great needs of commerce, now enlarg-
ing before us. be met and these roads
will indeed become the friend of man
for they will bring him closer to his
fellows in community spirit until the
nation becomes one in thought and in
purpose.
Charles Lathrop Pack. president of
the American Forestry association,
| holds that for the present halt should
be called on monument building of the
old sort and that tree planting should
! be resorteo to as a substitute. He ad-
vocates building Roads of Remem-
brance right now. roads that will not
| merely bear the burden of the truck
traffic of the future. the wagons of
the farmer in getting his produce to
market, but the feet of the genera
tons of children that are to come, that
are to make the civilization of tomor-
row.
The National Committee on Mem
orial Buildings. with a hundred MEM
| bers, has amalgamated with the War
| Camp Community Service in advising
cities and towns in the construction of
| memorials TO the Americans who par
! ticipated in the war. The committee
/ is to advise states and municipalities
as to suitable and appropriate memoir
i ials to perpetuate the glory of the men
who fought for humanity. Members
of the committee were chosen because
! of their technical. artistic and literary
/ attachments.
Such other movements are under
| way as that of the state of Indiana
which plans for a memorial grove for
/ each county. San Francisco has
planted a Hero Grove" in Golden
| Gate park. Secretary Lane Is honor
airy chairman Of the committee, and
he has sent to 5000 cities and towns
OF the country letters in which "liv-
! ing memorial is suggested as the
most appropriate and lasting form of
/ memorial.
Historic Vimy Ridge which saw