Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-21
GOOD ROADS LARGELY
DUE TO MOTOR TRUCKS.
Only Six Per Cent OF tho Ameri-
can People Use Their Own
Passenger Cars.

y; a time when tho long standing
national need for more and better
~ iesislatiye appropriations In the
$locoo0.00o figures. II seems appro--
pirate to ask the question: What
NH and ,S Sh aye ;srms the
idends from the Investment be cx-
nressed?" 1t seems appropriate fur
thcr to consider what Is the basic
pays for these highways, for what
purpose arc they built, and who BEN
eh's by them?
Two classes OF motor vehicles use
III. PASSENGER car. About G per cent
~ the people In tho United States own
passenger cars. yet through the me
son in the country is directly BEN
nted By the money that Is spent
~ fact. If the 100000 people who
"nes TO derive benefit from the road.
our government would scarcely be
justified In spending for thus pur-
entire li5.006.00o. But since practi-
'ally every article that is consumed
or nsed ny every one In this country
makes some part OF Its journey from
producer TO consumer in motor trucks.
The entire population receives a dol
lar anu cents return In the form OF
lower living costs. from the improve
hic.
adequate transportation is essen
,iai 10 general welfare and prosperi-
,y ard as conditions exist in the
United states today. adequate trans
portation Is impossible without the
use OF the motor truck For exam
PIC. suppose every motor truck In the
country was suddenly put out OF use.
. would cause a paralysis or the
railroads through inability to clear
terminals: II would mean the cessa-
,,"n OF practically all building ope-
ATOMS through lack OF materials; II
you'd stop practically all passenger
rns3iinc and oil is transported to
retail niling stations In motor trucks:
y would tie up retail business in
iarg. citie3 To nearly standstiIl and
countless other situations equally
s,nfiohs would result. II is a fact that
~. average person does not realize
now dependent no 10 upon motor
transportation.
Good roads must be built IL the
s epIsn,y Is to prolt TO the largest
.f the motor truck. and II we arc
10 have good roads then road financ.
.ng must be placed on sound eco
ia ,as basis u; i is quite natural that
mus Tor supplying good roads should
=. pnhertaken by government In be-
nnii OF the PEOPLE. since II is a ma
no other agency large enough TO
handle tho problem efficiently. II is
. business arrangement pure and
s.'npie--thc original investment comes
rom the people OF the country as a
whole. while tho upkeep and maintc-
n'hc. or the roads liz paid for by the
N@h!cics that usc them in accordance
Win the amour, OF road wear each
causes. The latter Is. of courEe. a
!Ns' Arrangement under any condI-
Tong, yet the former--thc lnvcatm.nt
~ ne para o! the entire population
~ the country--is only Justified
Through the use OF the motor truck
which gives each investor n return
On hIs Investment. In fact Il Is only
through tho Increasing use OF motor
Trucks that an enlarged road building
program has been justified and conse.
qnently possible
Recent legislation stimulated by
automobile owners has in some In
Stances. sacrificed the motor truck in
I've Inherent OF passenRcr cnra n Is