Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-13
Pres. Harding 'sMessage to Congress

little less important, but the problems
seiaoe 10 construction and development
ana deserve your most earnest attcn-
ton because we arc laying a FONDA
uon Tor long time to come, and the
creation is very difficult to visualize in
Its great possibilities.
inc hi9hways arc not only feeders
10 tne railroads and afford relief from
their local burdens, but thew are
actually lines of motor traffic In ,ntar-
state commerce. They are tho smallcr
arteries OF the larger portion OF our
commerce and tho motor car has ba-
como an Indispensable instrument 10
our political. social and industrial life.
There is begun a now era in high
way construction. the outlay for which
runs far into hundreds of millions of
dollars. Bond issues by road districts.
counties and states amount to enor-
nous figures, and tho country is facing
such an outlay that it is vital that
every effort shall he directed against
wasted effort and unjustifiable ex-
penditurc.
The federal government can place
no inhibition on tho expenditure In
tho several states but since congress
has embarked on a policy Of assisting
the states in highway improvement
wisely l believe. 1t can asert a wholly
becoming influence in shaping policy,
cipation acccptably established. prob
| ably never to be abandoned. 1t is i'm
| portant to exert federal aid in develop
ing comprehensive plans looking to tho
promotion of commerce and apply our
expenditures in the surcst way to guar
antec public return for money c1-
pended.
| Large federal outlay demands a fed
eral voice in tho program Of expendi-
| turc. Congress cannot justify n mere
Kift from the federal purse to the sew
| eral states TO he pro-rated among coun-
| ties for road bcttcrmcnt- Such a course
will invite abuses which 1t is better 10
guard against in tho beginning.
| Federal Aid LAWS
Tho laws governing federal aid
should be amended and strengthened.
Tho federal agency OF administration
| should he elevated to tho importance
| and vested with authority comparable
| to the work before II. And congress
| ought to prescribe conditions to fsd-
cral appropriations which will necossl-
| tate a consistent program of uniform
ity which Will justify tho federal out
lay. I know of nothing moro shocking
than tho millions OF public funds vast
4 ed in improved highways, wasted be-
cause there is no policy of maintenance.
Tho neglect IL not universal. but II Is
very near II. There is nothing the cong
| ress can do more effectively to end this
| shocking waste than condition all fed
| cral aid on provisions for maintenance.
Highways. no matter how generous tho
| outlay for construction. cannot be
| maintained without patrol and con-
| slant repairs. Such conditions. insist
I'd on in tho grant OF federal aid. wiI,
| safeguard tho public which PAYS and
guard tho federal government against
| political abuses. which tend to defeat
the very purposes for which VIC auth
orizc federal expenditure.
Water Transportation
Linked with rail- and highway Is the
| problem OF water transportation-!n-
land. coastwisc and trans oceanic. II
| IL not possible. on this occasion. to
suggest to ccngrcss the additional leg
| islstion ncrdfui TO meet tho aspirations
| of our people for n merchant marine.
In tho emergency OF war wc have con
rtructcd tonnage cquaiIing our
largest expectations. Its war cost
must he discounted to tho actual values
Of peace and tho large difference
charged to tho war emergency. and the
| pressing task is TO turn our assets in
tonnage TO an agency of commerce
| 1T is not necessary TO say to cong
| rcs-. but have thought this to be
hefittinE occasion TO give notice. that
the United States means to establish
and maintain great merchant
| marine.
Our differences Of opinion a. TO a
| policy of upbuiidinE have bern removed
| by the outstanding fact OF our having
buildcd- II tho Intelligent and efficient
administration under the existing laws
makes established service impossible
| the executive will promptly report to
you. Manifcstly II our laws governing
American activities on tho seas arc
such ss to give advantage TO those who
| compete with us for the carrying Of
our o~n cargocs and those which ought
naturally TO como in American bottoms
| thru tradc exchanges. then the spirit
| OF American fairplay will assert Itself
TO give American carriers their equality
| OF opportunity. This republic can never
realize its righteous aspira atoms in COM
mcrcc. can never bc worthy tho tradl-
tons of tho early days OF the expand
! Ing of tho republic, until the millions o,
| tons OF shipping which We now possess
arc co-ordinated with our inland trans
portation and our shipping has govern
/ mcnt announcement. not government
| operation. in carrying our cargoc, un-
| der our flag, over regularly operated
routcS to every markc. in the world
agreeable to American exchanges II
VIII strengthen American genius and
management to have II understood that
ours is an abiding determination. be-
cause carrying is second only to prod
uction TO establishing and maintaining
tho Flow OF commerce to which We
rightfully aspire.
Radio and Cables
1T is proper to invite your attc,-
ton to tho Importance OF tho oues-
ton of radio communication and
cables. To meet strategic. CONNER
ciai and political needs. active on
coursScmcnt should he given TO tho
| extension OF American-owncd cable
and radio service. Bctwccn the
United States and its possessions there
| should be ample communication faci-
| litie- providing direct services at
l reasonable rates. Between tho United
| states and other countries not only
should there be adequate facilities
but these should be far as prac-