Evening star., 1920-05-24
GO0DR0ADS.| .|ND.:C.
ASSURED BY SUM
ASkED0F CONGRESS
Commissioner Kutz Thinks
$50, 900 Added to Suburban
+ Fund Will Be Ample.

$ZU,uUO Added TO SUBURBAN
Fund will Be Ample.
"If Congress grants the $4,000
asked in the general deficiency bill
for the Improvement Of the suburban
roads in the District Of Columbia. and
with the $25o.caa for suburban roads
available July !. the highways Of this
city will soon be in good condition"
hearing Of the good roads confer
ence Of the District of Columbia. at
the District building before the Dis
trict of Columbia. Commissioners.
Both Commissioners. Kutz and
Brownlow admitted that the condi-.
as it should be. and expressed
themselves in favor Of single taxation
on automobile owners.
Cites Contributing Factors.
Col. Kutz said that there were two
contributing factors to the bad con-
dition Of the highways at the present
time, namely, lack OF funds for their
Improvement and the especially Sc
! we're winter through which Washing
ton has just passed. He said that the
roads were covered q large part pf
made a single track for all a1ltomo-
bilists to travel in. He said that the
majority Of these cars were equipped
with chains, which practically ground
the road to pieces.
Col. Kutz said that with the repair
gangs now at work. in thirty days
the majority Of the arterial highways
would be in at least passable con-
dition.
Conrad Syme, an official of the
A. A. A, presented the resolution
drawn up by the good roads con-
mediate repair of the roads and a
change in the method Of taxing the
automobile owner, SO that the revenue
thus collected would find its way back
to the maintenance Of the highways.
Urgent Need Of Action Now.
Mr.. Syme said that there was ur-
gent need of immediate action for the
repair work and that the change in
taxation could come at a later date for
the permanent repair Of the roads;
He said that the present tax. based
on Valuation and horsepower. was un-
satisfactory and not equitable, and
that the change would make for a
larger revenue. He also said the
highways in their present condition
were. costing the motorists of this
city large amount of money in re-
which should not be allowed to exist
Owners' Tax Might Fail.
It was pointed out by the Commits
automobile owners. II segregated, and
used for the sone purpose of keeping
the roads in GOOD condition might not
be as much ~ the District was at
present getting under the half-and-
aConrress," said Commissioner Kutx.
is very strongly opposed to q revotv-
ing tax fund. and has real opposition
to such IN arrangement And II 1t
did copxa1t to change to the new
method 4he. fevsnue thus collected
misht nh e enough. .aa Which ,,,,s wouao 70
tine Of the taxatton on Aukou1ghd1essss
Col Kut1 said the amount asked by
the CbmmiasiOners for next years
mAintenanNe and repair or the rca0S
wss, 500. 9.ooo. but that the ; 1ppror1a-
he he . said. viii become available the
1st of July, and repairs ON the worst
streets will be started Immediately.
Explains Forming Of Conference.
-Expaaining the formation Of the
good roads conference, William III
man, secretary Of the National Capt.
tal Division Of the American Auto
mobile Association. said:
TN connection with calling together
the various local trade and civic bod
les and the formation Of the good
roads conference of the District Of
Columbia, should like to make the
following statement:
.sThe good roads conference is a re-
suit Of countless complaints against
District highways which have come
to the A. A. A., together with urgent
appeals to do something
.sThe only, and also the best, thing
to be done is to make an appeal to
ConTress, through the District Com
missioners, for Immediate funds with
which to make repairs, at the same
time pointing out the deplorabie con-
dition of our roads and asking the
appropriations committee to bear in
mind that there Is much truth in the
aid ada1e that a stitch in time saves
nine
Primary Purpose Stated.
..rherefore, while the taxation plan
to nroyide q definite and adequate
roads fund for the future Is presented.
at the same time the primary pur-
nose Of the good roads conference Is
TO obtain immediate repairs of the
districts well-frayed suburban roads
aNo divided sentiment marks this
annaal, In behalf Of an residents Of
the District Of Columbia the confer
ence asked Congress to appropriate
roads repair funds without delay. No
voice has been raised in protest This
time sll the District rises to ask Con-
rress in one voice for one thing. and
fha answer will make known the ex-
at measure Of trust, confidence and
hone the people Of the District. may