Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-18
HIGHWAY PROGRAM
FOR 1921 WATTS
ON BILL PASSAGE

The outlining Of Georgia's high
way construction program for the
twelve months beginning July 1,
1921. must wait upon the action of
congress on the Macarthur bill
which carries the federal aid ap-
preparation for good loads, accord
ing to a statement issued by the
state highway department Saturday.
The department, which directs the
construction of the state 4 highway
system, asserts that until the Nc
ARTHUR measure IS acted upon one
way or another, there can be no
definite announcement as to the
Forthcoming highway program.
The bill carries an appropriation
of S100,000,000 in federal fun to
be distributed among the several
states for use In the cooperative
method Of building good roads. AS
originally drawn the measure pro-
v1ded s100,O00,0O0 per year for five
years, but amendments have cut 1t
down to $100,000,OOO for the COM
ing fiscal year.
1t is apparent, however. that any
definite highway plans in the sew
eral states cannot be perfected I'M
til assurance is given by the federal
government that aid will be forth
coming. The amount Of this financial
assistance must also be determined
beyond shadow of doubt. Thus the
state highway department is hold
ing in allegiance It's program for the
twelve months ensuing after July
l, 1921.
According to it's statement. the
highway department is laying par
ment of policy made by w R; Neel.
state highway engineer. at the re-
cent meeting of the Georgia State
Automobile association, when GOV
ernor-elect Thomas w. HardWlck
oughly in accord with the aims:
purposes, methods and policies of
the highway department.
Every effort is being, made to
encourage the counties Of the state
to cooperate to the fullest extern
in carrying forward the program
federal and state aid system.
The policy enunciated by the de-
partment is based on the sound
economic idea that it is better TO
have a system or roads serving the
entire state in reasonable fashlon.
rather than a few isolated stretches
of theoretically correct highways
Serving only a limited number of
inhabitants. Carrying out this fun
damental principle the department
is operating with view to put
ting the entire state system In at
road terrors and ironing out the
bad spots so that the weak links
in the system are gradually being
strengthened, says the departmental
statement.
1--WE find ourselves with sys--
tenn of 5000 miles of roads, almost
all of which is to be constructeds
with only a limited amount of
money" the department declares
Our problem is to prepare the en-
tire system for continuous use at
as early date as possible; re re-
fic may not be interrupted. In this
way the increased earning power
of our people will supply the nee.
essary funds for the perfection OF
the system.
Our first duty is to operate the
entire system at as early date
Necessarily, in order to properly
develop a state system Of high
WAYS, there must be a commission
whose sole duty it is to study and
develop the road with which they
are charged by law. to lay out, con- con.
struct and maintain for the best
interest of the entire state. 1t
sometimes happens that the local
viewpoint differs from the
viewpoint Of the commission which
is charged with the duty of per
fecting the state system and which
is devoting it's entire thought and
study to this end. In order to &C
complish the best results for the
general welfare of the entire state,
the commission cannot lose sight
of it's duty to the whole people. II
order that the work of the commits
sion be successful, it must receive
the backing of public sentiment