The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-12


restrictions. The remaining obstacles
which are the heritance of capitalistic
exploitation must be removed and Ia
Dor must join management in under
standing that the public which pays
is the public which is to be served,
and simple justice is the right. and
will continue to be the right of ali
the I ople.
Transportation over the highways is
little less important, but the problems
relate to construction and develop
ment, and deserve your most earnest
attention, because we are laying a
foundation for a long time to come
and the creation is very difficult to
visualize in its great possibilities.
The highways are not only feeders
to the railroads and afford relief from
their local burdens, they are actually
lines of motor traffic in interstate
commerce. They are the smaller ar
teFies of the larger portion of our
commerce and the motor car has be-
come an indispensable instrument in
our political, social and industrial
life.
New Highway Era.
There is begun a new era in high
way construction, the outlay for which
runs far into hundreds of millions of
dollars. Bond issues by road dis
tricts, counties and states mount to
enormous figures, and the country is
facing such an outlay that it is vital
that every effort shall be directed
against wasted effort and unjustifi-
able expenditure.
The federal government can place
no inhibition on the expenditure in the
several states; but since congress has
embarked upon a policy of assisting
the states in highway improvement,
wisely believe, it can assert wholly
becoming influence in shaping policy.
With the principle of federal par
ticipation acceptably established.
probably never to be abandoned, it is
important to exert federal influence
in developing comprehensive plans
looking to the promotion of commerce
and apply our expenditures in the
surest way to guarantee public re-
turn for money expended.
Large federal outlay demands a
federal voice in the program of expen-
diture. Congress can not justify a
mere gift from the federal purse to
the several states to be pro-rated
among counties for road betterment.
Such a course will invite abuses which
it were better to guard against in the
beginning.
The laws governing federal aid
should be amended and strengthened.
The federal agency of administration
should be elevated to the Importance
and vested with authority comparable
with the work before it. And congress
ought to prescribe conditions to fed
eral appropriation which will necessi-
tate a consistent program of uniform
ity which will justify the federal OUT
lay.
1 know of nothing more shocking
than the millions of public funds
wasted in improved highways, wasted
because there is no policy of mainte-
nance. The neglect is not universal
but it is very near it. There is moth
ing the congress can do more effec-
xI,S- -, boz
condition all federal aid on provisions
for maintenance. Highways, no mat
ter how generous the outlay for con-
struction. cannot be maintained with
out patrol and constant repair. Such
condition insisted upon in the grant of
federal aid will safeguard the public
which pays and guards the federal
government against political abuses,
which tend to defeat the very purposes
for which we authorize federal ex-
penditure.
Need Merchant Marine
Linked with rail and highways is
inland, coastwise, and trans-At-
lantic. 1t is not possible on this oc-
casion to suggest to congress the adj
ditional exchange needful to meet the
aspirations of our people for a mer-
chant marine. In the emergency of
=
equalling our largest expectations. Its
war cost must be discounted to the ac-
tual values of peace and the large diff
ference charged to the war emergency
and the pressing task is to turn our
assets in tonnage to an agency of COM
merce.
1t is not necessary to say it to con-
gress, but L have thought this to be a
befitting occasion to give notice that
the United States means to establish
and maintain a great merchant ma
rine.
policy of upbuilding have been re-
moved by the outstanding fact that
our having builded. If the intelligent
and efficient administration under the
existing laws makes established serv-
ices impossible, the executive will
promptly report to you. Manifestly, if
our laws governing American activi-
ties on the seas are such as to give
advantage to those who compete with
US for the carrying of our own cargoes
and those which ought naturally to
come in American bottoms thru trade
exchanges. then the spirit of Ameri-
can fair play will assert itself to give
American carriers their equality of
opportunity.
This republic can never realize its
righteous aspirations in commerce,
can never be worthy the traditions of
the early days of the expanding re-
public until the millions of tons of
shipping which we now possess are
co-ordinated with our inland trans
portation and our shipping has gov
eminent encouragement, not govern
ment operation, in carrying our car
goes under our flag, over regularly
operated routes, to every market in
the world, agreeable to American ex-
changes. 1t will strengthen American
genius and management to have it I'M
derstood that ours is an abiding de-
termination, because carrying is second
only to production in establishing and
maintaining the flow of commerce to
which we rightfully aspire.
Push Communication Lines.
1t is proper to invite your attention
to the importance of the question OF
radio communication and cables. To