The Washington times., 1921-02-19
URGES j. s. BOARD
OF ROAD CONTROL
r.. S. Jordan Advocates Federal
Highway Commission of Five
Named by President.

That the highway question is so
important that IL should be made
separate function of the Government
rather than left in charge OF a bu-
reau OF a department, was the opin-
ion expressed recently by Edward 5.
Jordan OF the highways committee
of the National Automobile Chamber
Of Commerce.
I'm the past few months I have
talked to scores of meetings and
thousands OF individuals in many
cities of the country" said Mr.. Jor-
dan, land everywhere find men TAX
ing a keen interest IN highway prob
lens.
AFTER a careful survey. ! feel that
he best way to really focus the at
ention of the public IN this great
problem, is through the creation OF
Federal Highway Commission,
which should take over the work of
he present Bureau OF Public Roads,
and 1 say that without the slightest
'riticism OF the men in charge now
Who are doing all that they can under
he limitations OF the present law.
COMMISSION OF FIVE.
"If a commission OF five men, let
IS say. could be appointed by the
resident with the advice and con-
Ient OF the Senate, several results
would be obtained at one stroke. In
he first place, highways would he
siven their proper place as the most
important single domestic phase Of
he Governments work Not only
would the recognition be a proper
ne, but IL would serve to stimulate
interest Of students in college, to
whom we must look for our future
orps of trained men to handle the
asst expenditures now available and
be made in the future.
Secondly, we would have a body Of
1en in charge of the work whose
'uty 1t would be to look at the ques-
ion from a national rather than
ectional viewpoint, although their
election from varying geographical
enters and cooperation with state
Highway departments would insure
he latter against neglect of local
onditions.
Again, instead of the possibility of
change in policy such as Is always
,ossible where the administration
hanges each four years, we would
ave a continuing policy. as these
ZEN would be appointed in rotating
ears, thus keeping at the head men
:onstantly informed as to the work
hand.
ANY men selected should be big.
,entally. They should be selected
cause of their knowledge of the
ubject rather than from a political
tandpoint. and in order to present
ounded viewpoint, they should in
lude engineering, industrial and
agricultural minds, although not
ecessarily men engaged In those oc-
upations at the moment.
BASIS FOR SOUND POLICY.
1.-THE selection made, these men
,ould then sit down and with state |
,fficials could shape a national policy |
which would take into account ma
ional as well rs state needs. Their |
eport to Congress would naturally |
rive us the basis for the soundest |
possible national policy and one |
which would insure the soundest pos
,ible expenditure of national funds.
AS for the carrying on OF the |
actual construction, II is my belief |
that the work should always have |
been undertaken by state depart
ments under government supervision,
where state departments have the |
power and ability to do so. The pres
emit regional districts should be re-
tanned and every effort made to avoid |
duplication and overlapping since |
any upbuildlnR OF national construc-
ton forces where state organizations |
ere effective, would defeat the very |
purposes In mind.
"when appointed, the ideal method !
which could be set down by Congress. |
in my judgment, would be a statement |
leaving the commission as free as
possible to arrive ut its final recon-
the only limitations being |
that the members should be required |
to consider national needs. Present |
experience poipts to a concentration |
Of national funds on selected ma
tional system which should be built |
and maintained at government ex-
pense, thus releasing state and county |
funds. but this again would be a |
matter for careful decision In order |
that the best possible road policy |
might be evolved