The Washington times., 1921-11-19
TOWNSENDLAW
CONSIDERED AS
H|GHWAYSb0ON
Chaplin Predicts Government
Will In Time Take Over Main
interstate Routes.

The day when the Federal Govern.
ment win take over the main inter-
state highways. was brought meas
urably closer by the recent enact
ment Of the Townsend highway bill.
| in the opinion of Roy d. Chaplin.
chairman Of the highways COMMITTEES
of the National Automobile Chamber
| Of Commerce.
while the new highway act IL
not all that students Of the question
would like to see." MT. Chaplin aid
1.-The law marks a distinct step for
ward in the evolution Of our high
way policy. Under its provisions,
Federal aid can no longer be scat
tered broadcast. Each State highway
department Is compelled to designate
Z per cent Of the mileage In the
State a. q system and OF this
per cent, three-sevsnthS must con-
sist of primary highways Of inter-
state Importance on which so per
cent of all Federal funds may be
concentrated. In those States where
highway work 10 more advanced and
where the State highway depart.
msnts desire to concentrate more
than so per cent Of their funds on
the primary interstate roads they
are permitted to do 20, Q clause
which VIII enable some sixteen
States to pursue the policy already
adopted Of building the most I'M
portant roads first.
Stimulates Main Highways.
"Ths immediate effect of this act
will be to stimulate the construction
and maintenance Of the trunk high
ways in those States which. because
Of lack of funds, have not thus far
made much progress toward an ado
Quate system OF connected highways.
A this progress 10 made, the States
themselves will undoubtedly come to
the conviction already expressed by
officials in the more advanced Com
monwealths. that interstate high
ways perform more than . State
purpose. are the most useful to the
most people and logically should be
constructed and maintained by the
National Government. Presumably.
this work would always be carried on
through existing agencies Of con-
struction rather than through the
ORGANISATION of q FEDERAL agency. |
and the consequent release OF State
and county funds for the construc. |
ton and maintenance Of the State |
and county roads would grsatiy ex-
pedite completion OF q network OF
highways everywhere"
with recognition Of interstate
roads now 4 fundamental principle |
In the national highway law. there |
are numerous other scarcely less Inn |
portant changes to be found in the
new act The new requirements for
maintenance are 90 exacting as to
insure the nation against loss and
to set q high standard for the
States. The same II true in tho
clause which provides that highways
must be constructed with due regard
for future ~ well a. prevailing traf-
fic needs. The new and flexible
formula for public lands States will
be far-reaching In its benefits A.
will be the liberal appropriations for
forest roads and trails which reach q
total Of SIS. 200. 900 for the next two
years. The clause which directs the
Secretary of War to transfer to the
Secretary Of Agriculture surplus war
materials available for highway use
will effect a saving of millions of
dollars In the purchase of equipment
Of construction and maintenance
everywhere.
Time Limit Importaat. SEP "a
Another provision Of far-rsaching
importance Is that requiring that
States must match Federal funds With
funds from State sources or 20 CON
trolled, with a qualifying time limit
Of three years to permit necessary
changes in State laws TO meet these
conditions. The broadened definition
Of a highway department will re-