The log cabin Democrat., 1921-02-24
NATIONAL HIGHWAY
 SYSTEM ASSURED
DEFEAT OF FEDERAL AID
By Present Congress Taken as Indi- cation of Adoption of More
 Comprehensive Plan.

Washington, Feb. 24-That the next congress will seriously consider the proposed plan of national system of interstate highways is now assured, This action was predicted by the sen ate's refusal to approve as rider" on the postoffice appropriations bill the $100, 000 voted by the house without any restrictions other than now embraced in the federal aid road act, which has failed in various direc- tions to satisfy many of it's original achievements. While the federal mon- ey in some states aided materially in accelerating state systems of inter- county roads in other states the rich counties matched" the dollars from the national treasury with the result that the poor counties were still left in the mud.
 Though the organized motorists CO., operated with the state highway of ficials in urging the federal aid road act, the two groups were not in en- tire accord in the recent legislative effort. Both were agreed that joint federal and state money should be expended upon roads of interstate inn portance, but the highway officials re- fused to insist upon such provision nor to support the Townsend idea of creating a commission to lay out a i national scheme of main roads con- meeting the several states.
 What caused some opposition, in and out of congress. to the hundred mil lions appropriation, was the fear that it's unrestricted adoption would fasten the federal aid method upon the coun- try for an indefinite period. One member of the house didn't hesitate to say that the accord of the senate would do exactly this thing.
 Debated upon it's merits, something not possible under suspension of the rules, those who favor an interstate spstem and commission believe that congress will adopt a comprehensive plan, for the undertaking has the ap- proval of the farm, commercial, auto- mobile and various other organiza- tions. Argument in favor of the ap- propriation centralized on the plea that 43 legislatures were in session and that unless the federal govern ment supplied additional money at once the road program in many states would be retarded
 Information presented to the sen' ate indicated that on December 3l 1920, only $117,O00, ,000 of Federal alc money remained unallotted, but thai by July next this amount would be en' tirely covered by the states. Those opposing dwelt upon the fact that o1 the S275 100000 total, nearly S22O,0oo 900 still remained in the treasury, No vember 30, 1920. The facts also dis closed that only $47 100000 had beer paid out, although other contracts hac been completed and not paid for.
 Many senators took the stand tha1 as long as the bulk of the money stll remained in the treasury, that the road building program of the country would not be seriously interfered witt by delaying consideration of gooo roads until the next congress con. venes.
 Commenting upon the situation Chairman George C. Diehl of the A. A. A. good roads board, thus sum- marizes the matter:
 Apparently instead of the states waiting to see what congress IS gong to do, congress now proposes to wait and see what the states are going tt do, especially the IF states which are depending largely upon their counties to raise the money to enable them tc cooperate with the federal govern ment in building roads. It IS hlgf time that these states which have failed to function as states shoulc wipe out their paper highway depart ments and provide some real money with which to build real roads, util. izing advantageously whatever aic may come from the federal govern ment, either in the form of entire cost and subsequent maintainance ot ln- terstate highways, or an amplltylne of the present half and half arrange ment."