South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-11
Good ROADS GET
STRONG SUPPORT
Prominent Men in National
Affairs Gives Views on
Federal System.

WASHINGTON. ID. G.. Jan. TO-
Men prominent In national affairs
who believe I'm a federal highway
system are multiplying in numbers.
according to replies to a communi-
cation sent by the A. A. A. good
roads board asking for definite ex-
pressions on this far-reaching sub
iect.
That Maj Gen. Leonard Wood,
because OF his military experience
would favor a comprehensive high
ways plan Is quickly understandable.
but when William Jennings Bryan
adds his voice 20 those who COM
mand a federal plan the evidence is
apparent that a big Interstate sys-
tenn is a thing Of the not distant fu-
ture.
Emphasizes Maintenance.
In Gen. Woods reply he en-
phaslzes maintenance and the fact
that roads can be commercial and
military at the same time:
1T is especially important that
we should provide for continuous
maintenance: I'm other words, those
roads should always be kept in con-
djtion for service and never allow
ed TO reach the stage when general
repair Is necessary.
You may feel that undue en-
phasis has been laid upon the mill
tary road. but in considering this
project the fact must he borne in
mind that. while these roads are
vitality important as a possible mill
tary necessity. they viii serve ev-
cry commercial purpose"
Harding's Sentiments
Sen. Warren G. Harding OF Ohio
gives voice 20 these sentiments:
II am quite ready TO cordially
support federal aid I'm the cOnstruc
tion OF highways which shall be so
selected as 20 facilitate what might
be termed federal travel: that is to
say, interstate communication.
have no doubt congress Will be very
generous I'm supporting the good
roads movement
"My own conception Of the high
est service to ne rendered in the
cause OF good roads is federal in
huence toward road maintenance
after the construction is completed
The greatest crime ia the expendi-
ture or public funds at present time
lies in the enormous outlay Of
money for road Improvement. only
To he followed up by utter neglect
IN Keeping them IN repair"
Bryan's Comment.
William Jennings Bryan comes
forward with quite practical com
ment.
'The time has come for the sys-
tcmatic development of national
highways and the conclusion Of
peace gives an opportunity TO cele-
brate the ending Of the greatest of
would wars by the building OF a me
mortal peace way. reaching into ev-
cry state and forming n CONNER
, ciaI bond OF union between the
ccmmonwcalths Of the ration It
would greatly relieve che railroads
10y furnishing a roadway for both
passenger and freight traffic.
y Governors View.
Gov. Sproul Of Pennsylvania
known for his highways activities,
thus refers 10 a country wide good
roads undertaking,
The interest upon the money
which we cdvanc%d TO our allies
would build each year six modern
paved highways from the Atlantic
10 the Pacific and six more from
the Canadian lire 20 our southern
boundary. Tire principal sum of
our 10 billion dollars. i'm loans
would give us a network Of paved
roads over the entire country. only
30 miles apart. north and south and
east and west. These figures are
important as showing what may be
done for our own people under "a
far-sighted policy OF national inn
provements."