Evening star., 1921-11-06
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

- oNGRESS has just taken its
most progressive step in the
aid of the establishment OF
network of good roads
over the entire country. The measure
passed by both bodies and sent to the
President for his approval has been
the subject Of long discussion in Con-
eress, but it is believed that it Will
result in an efficient plan for road
construction.
incidentally. the passage OF TINS
good roads bill at this time Of unem-
ployment should help in giving work
to thousands of men looking for jobs.
The bill carries an appropriation OF
s75.OO0.OOO to be used in the con-
struction. maintenance. etc. of the
roads. OF this sum $25, 100000 is to be
Immediately available and $5O.0GO.OO0
on January /, 1922. This sum must
be matched by an equal sum supplied
by the states. which would make
total of $15O.000,000 available during
the next few months for road con-
struction.
National Highway System.
The principal benefit which the au-
low it's enactment, however, Is tine
development along, sound lines OF
system of interstate roads, fed by
couMty roads.
The new law provides that before
any state can participate in federal
aid it must lay cut system Of roads
approved by the Secretary OF Agrl-
culture. consisting of not more than
7 per cent of the road mileage OF the
state. Three-sevenths" Of that per
cent shall be interstate mileage, con-
Meeting with similar roads IN ada
cent states, and four-sevenths inter
county roads, connecting with the
interstate highways.
It was the purpose. in framing the
legislation in this way, to prevent
the use Of federal funds In uncorre
lated roads. The first federal aid act
small appropriation, the principal ad-
vantage of which was to stimulate
the interest of the states in the build
ing of good roads. 1t Is charged
however that this fund came to be
treated as political pork in some
states. Roads were constructed witn-
out regard to terminals Of tramc
needs. and with regard only 10 speha, ,
ing money in places Where pollt'cai
supporters desired it expended.
Fearful of "Pork'' Charges.
Ihe supporters. OIL sOou Ao"u l. 1"
lation have feared that. If something
were not done to call a halt TO such
practices, good road APPROPRIATIONS
in the future might meet with the
same charges of pork" which have
been applied to proposed approprla.
tions for river and harbor work, and
which have resulted In hating 70
some extent the Improvement or the
inland waterways Of the country.
The new law will give the Secre.
tary Of Agriculture far more control
over. the selection of the roads to be
built with federal aid than he ever
had under the old laws. The seere-
tary win be called upon to approve
ALI systems Of roads presented to him
by the state highway commissions
before they can be constructed with
the aid Of federal funds. H.
Under the provisions of the DILL 6O
per cent of the states share. of the
federal money. for roads will be ex-
pended on interstate roads until they
are completed and with the consent
of the state highway commission, all
of the money may be. expended upon
these. interstate roads. This is the
first recognition by the government
of the principle that it is the first
duty of the government to assist in
building its interstate roads.
The Congress also has made every
provisiofi for safeguarding the fed
eral money appropriated for good
roads against waste In the construc-
tion and maintenance Of durable
types Of road. The bill specifically
provides that only such durable types