The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-23
TRAFFIC CANNOT GO . FASTER THAN ROADS
Good Roads Experts Point Out Need for Roads Before
 Traffic Can Move

Washington, January 15-(Special) ) The warning note struck some time ago by Chairman s. M. Williams of the
 tabiishing highway transportation be- yond highway development is finding
 lodgment in traffic circles.
 As result, prominent traffice men
 co-operating with the federal high
 way council are now taking hold of
 the transportation council with de-
 Termination to insure the construction
 of roads around industrial and com
 mercial centers that will prevent a re-
 turn to congested conditions
 They do not propose, according to lC. ". Reid, manager of the transpor-
 tation bureau of the council. to be caught mapping when the traffic tide begins to rise again. For this req.
 son. said MT. Reid. many traffic managers throughout the country are going to give a closer study and a more determined application to the motor truck terminal zones as a CO., operating branch of the railway ana express service" Now that the rail- way express merger has been ap- proved by the interstate commerce icommission, it is the belief that the
 
 throw short-haul tonnage to the r,o- tor truck as fast as the change can be brought about along practical lines. 1 Rather than run the risk of getting the "cart before the horse" it must ] be understood that the policy of the council is along the lines indicated ty Chairman Williams in his statement at the recent conference held by the councils transportation committed In New. York.
 The federal highway council" said MT. Williams. "is working upon the belief that the future development of any type of transportationswill largely ldepend upon the economic service which that type may render the com~ munities served. We have heard a great deal about the short haul and the necessity for it's being turned over to the highway. Articles have been writ ten, columns have been published. and the public has been worked up to a fever heat over the tremendous possf. bilities of diverting the short haul to the highways. fear, however. that the important part of the entire subs ject has been overlooked, that is the necessity for an improved highway.
 Admitting that the short haul is not . function of the railroads. and recognizing the necessity of relief to the railroads so that their equipment may be employed in the longer and more profitable haul, do not feel .ha> the public utilities commissions of .he various states will be willing to re- lieve the railroads of that responsibil- ity until the public is assured of a substitute that will give at least as satisfactory and dependable service. With the exception of few instances :, the highways of our country are rot | In position to assume the burden of | the short haul now handled by the !! railroads and, therefore, Is 1t not time | to begin the promotion of this subject from the bottom. rather than from the 1 top?
 II feel that as part of the very 'm- portant work of this committee, 1t xill be necessary for them first to analyze what intelligently constitutes the 'hort haul. Secondy, they should as- certain by intensive study and inyes.i- ration highway conditions in the ,ari- Jus communities. with view to en- ;ouraging the development of nigh ways necessity to meet this specific. raffic need. The entire work of the ederal highway council is based ipon , policy that should support the work f this committee and. as its chairman.
 can assure you of full cooperation f the council.''