Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-18
CONDITION Of main
ROADS OF DISTRICT
CALLED DISGRACE
William UIIman, A. A. A. Sec
retary, Writes Trade Bodies
Urging Action.

Characterizing the condition of the
main roads in the District as dis
graceful" William Ullman secretary
of the National Capital division of the
A. "A. A.. has written to the trade
bodies of this city. asking for the
appointment of committees to take
immediate joint action on this mat
ter.
Since the present disgraceful con-
dition of the District of Columbia S
highways" said Mr.. Ullman, demands
immediate Improvement, and more
funds for maintenance and repair
than Congress seems inclined to grant,
officials of this division Of the Ameri-
can Automobile Association believe
that immediate and concerted action
by bodies representing practically all
of the District Of Columbia is urgent
ly needed.
Auto Upkeep Cited.
"A letter has been forwarded to the
Washington Board of Trade. the
Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association and
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions asking each to appoint COM
mittee to meet with a committee from
the A. A. A. to discuss ways and
means of securing funds for repairs.
The subject of District highways
has several important phases, con-
tinued Mr.. Gilman. Chief among
these is that ragged roads make au-
tomobile upkeep huge item of ex-
pense, particularly for merchants who
use motor trucks for delivery and
merchandise. and also they tend to
discourage this important and greatly
needed method of transportation. Good
roads are recognized today as the
hallmark of enterprise and progress
siveness, and. furthermore, they bring
visitors, who are an important part
of the forward march of the COM
munity.
The subject is of vial concern to
more than 10000 Washington auto
mobile owners. and action should not
be delayed"
Mr. Ullman's Letter.
The letter to the trade bodies reads
as follows:
Believing that there should be inn
mediate repair of the District of CO.
lumbia's suburban roads. which are
now in shameful state of disrepair
and a constantly widening source of
expense to local passenger and COM
mercial car owners. I am writing to
ask you to appoint a committee of
your organization to meet with COM
mittees from the Washington Board
of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce.
the Merchants and Manufacturers As
societion. the Federation of Citizens
Associations and the American Auto
mobile Association to discuss ways
and means to that end.
"At the same time, our organisation
would like. to present what we believe
to be d highly meritorfous plan de-
signed to prevent District highways
from ever again falling into such a
low condition.
Necessary data and figures con-
cerning District highways, appropria-
tions, etc. have been prepared by our
director of roads and will be found
awaiting the various committees.
Since each passing day finds our
highways becoming worse. and repairs
and funds urgently needed, an early
meeting of these committees is inn
perative. Therefore. may I not beg
of you to give this request your
immediate attention, and to instruct
your committee that the meeting will
be held Thursday morning at 10
o'clock, In the offices of the American
Automobile Association. fifth floor
Riggs building, 18th and G streets
northwest"