The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09

Every sound. fundamental economic
reason speaks out for the durable road
just as 1t protests against the poor, in
adequately constructed highway.
Despite these facts. deplte the fact
that official Government figures placed
the haulage over tho highways at 1000.
100000 ton miles in 1917 our roads
are to-day inefficient. Inadequate, anti
quated. They are. as has been said re-
peatedly. the weak link between pro-
duction and consumption. and they
must be improved. not at some future
date, but now. II the nation Is to be
geared to its greatest efficiency for the
commercial war which Is upon us.
The means for the expansion OF our
system OF roads rests In n resolution
which was passed recently by the High
way Congress In Chicago and approved
at a meeting Of the chairinen OF the
State highways transport committees
and which shortly will be crystallized
into action In the form OF a measure
presented for the consideration of Con-
gress.
Broadly speaking, three subjects are
brought up for discussion, viz, a radical
increase In the Federal aid act appro-
priation which will make possible road
building upon comprehensive scale. the
creation OF highway commission and
PROVISION a national highways eye
tenn to be built and forever maintained
at the nations expense
OF the first point, 1t Is not necessary to
say much. The need Is so generally
recognized, its economic advantages are
go great, as to be generally appreciated
The matter OF a national highway
commission is not however, go generally
understood. and 1t should be carefully
studied. since after all. the commission
is OF really greater Importance at the
moment than the appropriation. essential
as that Is
Research Is Imperative.
In the past the general plan Of road
building has been to improve existing
highways To-day this is not enough.
The needs of transportation have become
so great and are OF such enormous I'M
portance to the nation. that they require
constant research and study. Before
the road Is built. the needs OF the COM
munity should be carefully and thor
oughly analysed. not only In regard to
the actual tonnage available for traffic,
but from the standpoint of future devel-
opment and from the relation ship OF that
traffic not only to tho prosperity of the
Immediate community where Il origi-
mated, but TO the State and nation and
In a broad sense, to the commerce OF
the world.
Further than that, the problem Is too
great in It's scope to remain as the mere
bureau OF a department. Road building
will shortly become one Of the major
activities OF our Government 1t Is neces-
sary II this money Is to DO wisely and
efficiently expended THAT we proceed
upon a carefully worked OUT, thoroughly
business-like plan. So a commission Of
with the advice and consent OF the Sen
ata Is provided for. as the body in
charge OF this analysis OF transportation
and expenditure o: the Government
funds.
As for the matter OF national high
ways. how many people are there living
upon the borders OF n state who have
not been constantly confronted with the
vexatious delays arising from passing
from travel over a modern road 10 an
inadequate "trail" at tho State line7
This commerce is growing constantly
and to an enormous size.
II We are to keen costs down our
highways must he linked up ard there
must be through trunk lines provided
to which feeders" can he built. Oh
viously this proposal is one which in
wolves the expenditure OF largo sums
There will always be conditions where
States will not feel justified in linking
up highways which may be of vital I'm
portance TO tho interstate commerce OF
their ne,ghbor, o. less need to them
selves when their own pressing demand
Tor roads elsewhere are taken into con-
sideration.
So the national highway system is
proposed with the national Government
in charge OF the operation Just as the
Government to-day assumes all control
over navigable streams