Evening journal., 1920-03-22
HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT.

IN ELANAREANS will be interested in knowing the
~ tent to which the people Of the United states are
committing themselves to definite policy Of highway
development The Federal Highway Council has issued
bulletin based upon reports received from all sections
OF our country. It is interesting
In the face Of high cost for both materials and labor,
and the fact that in states construction programs
must be altered somewhat TO meet existing labor and
material conditions there is no tendency upon the part
Of the people slow down their plans to place the
nations highways upon higher plane in the country
transportation system.
Tersely stated they are solid TO the heels" the
proposition to construct highways that will release rather
than restrict trae, and they dlsmissng labor and
material problems with curt instructions to their Official
servants that it is up to them to deliver the roads.
curious fact in connection with construction prob
lens at the present moment that the building Of roads
is seriously hndered by the evil which they are
designed removeaek Of transportation According to
authoritative information production Is halted to
greater degree by inadequate transportation facilities than
by labor shortage. At least this is true IL claimed in
the production Of materials for road building.
Highway olclas-state and county as well as national
facing their duties with patience and tact and out
Of maze Of trying situations construction is going ahead
at a fairly satisfactory rate. But Paul D. Sargent,
state Highway engineer Of Maine, and president Of the
American Association Of Highway officials, pointed out
In meeting at Philadelphia recently, when the people
finally decide to authorize the development Of any
ticuar project they prone to expect the work
done almost night.
Another feature in connection with road building at
this time the fact that and more the educational
part OF highway development extending its scope while
at the same time its primal OF activities is being
concentrated into a central and effective organiza-
ton directed from the standpoint of the public which
represents the builder, the and the taxpayer.
The direction Of highway educational work along
broad lines the result according to the view taken by
many Of the highway officials OF the pubcs determine
tion TO get roads built upon comprehensive scale
economically and with the type best suited 10 each 10
calty and adapted to traffic needs.
As the national body around which highway educa-
tona activities are now being centralized the Federal
Highway Council occupies unique position in building
for better transportation. It has direct afiaton with
more than hundred organizations throughout the
entire country representing the public welfare and
mercia interests Of millions in population From those
organizations as their representatives fifteen thousand
nominations have already been received for membership
In the council.
Owing to the rapidly growing Of the public highway
as passenger freight earrerboth in short and long
hauls-and the lack Of corresponding progress in the
efficiency OF the road itself, economic problems have
arisen that call for careful and clear presentation Of
facts TO the public AS result Of the divergence be-
tween the service highways called upon TO render
and their ability to render that servce. the highway
from an educational viewpoint has become subject Of
much greater Importance than heretofore that high
way onlclas-natonal, state and county--are placing
greater reliance upon the educational phase Of highway
work in securing effective and practical cooperation from
the public