Evening star., 1921-11-06
HUGE SUM PROVIDED
FOR BUILDING ROADS
Federal Aid Act Assures That Money Will
Be Used in Creating a National
Highway System.

of surface and kinds Of material shali
be adopted for construction and re
construction of any highway whlcn
is a part of tie primary or interstate
and secondary or inter-c9RntX sss-
listing and probable future needs OF
traffic The Secretary of Agriculture
is called upon to approve the types
of construction adopted.
Initiative Left to States.
Of course. the good roads law will
function through the aid OF the nu-
reau of public roads. But the Secre-
tary of Agriculture himself is to be
the deciding factor in any contro-
versy that may arise. The initiative
is left to the states in the matter OF
selecting the systems OF highways
which they desire improved first, put
after the state has made the selec-
ton. it must be approved by the Sec
retary Of Agriculture.
Within sixty days after the passage
Of the good roads act. which, by the
way, is to be officially known as the
federal highway act" the Secretary
Of Agriculture must certify to the sec
the state highway departments the
sum he has estimated TO be deducted
for administering the provisions of
tkis act. and also the sums he has
apportioned to each state for the fis-
cal year ending June 80. 1922.
The apportionment Of the federal
funds to the states is to be made as
follows: One-third in the ratio which
the area of the state bears to the
total area of all the states of the
Union; one-third in the ratio which
the population of the state bears to
the total population of all the states
and one-third in the ratio which the
mileage of rural delivery routes and
star routes in each state bears to the
total mileage of rural delivery and
star routes in all the states.
Fairest to All States.
This plan has been considered the
fairest to all states concerned. 1t is
conceivable that some of the states
will pay into the fund, through the
taxes levied upon its people. far more
than the amounts which these states
will receive for the development OF
their roads. The difference will &C
to other states Of less population. and
perhaps greater area, to aid them in
their road work But in view Of the
fact that the expenditures are to be
made especially to bring about the
construction of a national system OF
highways. connecting all the states
there will be no objection on this
count, it is said.
try in road construction is of the
highest importance to the people gen.
orally, it is held. The development OF
the highways will of course, aid ir
the development of industry and
commerce. 1t will reduce the cost Of
transportation in many instances
when the cost of transportation, it Is
generally conceded, must come down
II the country is to prosper. The con.
struction of these interstate and inter-
county roads also will lessen the
dangers from possible railroad paraly.
sis, in the event Of great strike OF
the railroad employees. 1t will en-
courage the people to return to the
farms-and they need encourage.
ment-by making the farms more &C.
cessible and attractive, not to men.
ton more valuable.
Tollxates Forbidden.
None of the roads constructed with
the aid of federal funds shall be
"toll' roads, the new law provides.
These roads must have a right OF
way ample width, and a wearing sur
face Of ample width. too, which shall
be not less than eighteen feet, unless,
in the opinion Of the Secretary of
Agriculture. a less width Will answer
the purpose. 1t is made imperative
that the states shall maintain the
roads constructed with federal aid
in good repair. If any state fails
to maintain the roads as provided
then the Secretary of the Treasury
is authorized to serve notice upon
the state highway department that
the roads must be repaired. and If
So in nil VI