The Washington times., 1920-01-10
Demand for Autos in Excess
OF New Modern Road Mileage
National Highway Act, Revised and Strength
ened To Embody Sound Suggestions From
All Sections, Now Before Congress.

tenn. or, in its discretion. may con-
tract with any State highway depart
ment for such surveys or maps. or
for the construction. maintenance, or
Improvement OF any such highway In
such State. Any such contract with
a State highway department shall be
based upon and shall include plans.
specifications, and estimates prepared
by the commission. and the commis-
sion shall supervise and enforce the
performance OF such contracts.
II Is also proposed that the portion
OF the national highway system In
each State shall equal ! per cent OF
the total highway mileage used as
such In the state as ascertained by
the commission.
In every State where such 1 per
cent viii not suffice to enable the
national highway system to afford at
least two highways connecting with
national highways In adjoining States,
the commission shall increase the
mileage OF the national system suf-
hciently to provide two such high
ways. This provision has been In
cluded to avoid any semblance Of var
tiality to any particular State.
Commission selects.
The commission will be authorized
to select as part or the Lational sys-
tenn any highway which has been con-
structed by or In behalf OF a state or
civil subdivision and which accords
with a standard deemed BY the COM
mission to be adequate for present
and probable future traffic. or which
I'm the opinion of the commission. can
be reconstructed to accord with such
standard. The commission shall value
the reproduction cost of aLy such
highway at current prices and wages.
and shall construct. or may, In Its
discretion, contract with the State
highway department for the con-
strutcion Of other highways connect
ing or correlating with the national
system of a mileage equal ip value
to the highway so selected, and to
pay therefor out OF the appropriation
to be made for the construction OF the
national highway system.
One of the provisions OF the pro-
posed act Is that no money SO appro-
priated shall be expended In any State
until the legislature of such State as
sents to the provisions OF the act and
to the taking over by the commission
Of existing state roads or rights of
way as a part of the natioLal system.
except that until the hnal adjourn
menr OF the first regular session Of
the legislature held after the act
takes effect, the assent OF the gov
ernor of the State shall be sufficient
to authorize such expenditures.
Consideration of Benents.
In consideration OF the Dement'S to
be derived by each State from the
establishment of a national highway
system, a condition precedent to the
construction by the commission OF any
highway selected as part OF the ma
tional system in such State, Is that
the existing right of way on the
route of such highway shall be trans
ferred by the State or the proper civil
subdivision thereof to the United
States as fully ss may be permitted
under the constitution of the State.
That only such durable types OF
surface and kinds OF material shall
be adopted for the construction and
repair of any highway which is a
part of the national system as will
adequately meet the existing and
probable future traffic needs and con-
ditions. The commission will deter
mine the types OF construction and re-
construction, and the character of i'm
provement, repair, and maintenance,
in each case selecting the type and
character best suited for each local.
-ity, proper consideration being given
to the probable character and extent
Of future traffic.
The commission Is to be charged