, 1921-06-23
WHAT THE A. A. A. HAS DONE.

The people of this nation do not realize what they
owe to the American Automobile Association. 1t Is
altogether likely that they will not appreciate what
they have received through this organization 10
gain some idea you must go back to the day when the
bicycle was at the height OF its glory, when the
League of American wheelmen was founded, and you
began to hear serious complaint of the public roads.
Generally speaking the roads were poor in those days.
They were mostly dirt roads. True there were turn
pixies and short stretches of stone paved roads, but no
long stretches Of surfaced roads such as you find
today.
created the sentiment for better roads and in the
years that they were pounding away at the dear pub
lie, the bicycle passed from first place and the auto
mobile succeeded it. The wheelmen became the auto
mobile association in due course of time and the ne
cessity for more and better roads became greater.
The new vehicle could travel farther aid faster and
the propelling power did not depend upon human
muscle. The investment, too, was much greater. With
the perfection of the automobile came its general use
for most of the purposes fulfilled by the horse and
many others the horse could not supply. Through
out these years the automobile association finally en-
bracing a membership nationwide, grew correspond
ingly in influence. Included in its ranks were the ac-
tive business and professional men of the country.
1t was purely unselfsh in its objects; but it did de-
mand better roads and it began to get them.
The federal aid law is one OF tine big things the
automobile association accomplished. The permanent
road building in Wyoming and elsewhere is due to
this law. The Salt Greek concrete highway, the pave
ments from the city limits to the Platte river, the
magnificent cement bridge across the Platte at the
end of the pavement are all benefits right at home
made possible by this law and the enterprise of the
AssOCldliOn. IOu may Ill dp-
preciate these great modern facilities and if you do
you now know to whom the credit is due.
The federal aid bill necessitated the state highway
commission which mapped and is now building a COM
prehensive system of highways throughout Wyo-
ming. The Townsend bill which is now before con-
gress is a measure designed to further aid in the de-
veiopment of highways. 1t provides for a national
commission to work in conjunction with the various
state Commissions. 1t carries an appropriation of two
hundred million dollars available in 1922 and 1928.
Another important measure, greatly to the benefit
of Wyoming, is the Phipps bill, which has already
passed the senate and is expected to go through the
house almost any day. This act, introduced by Sena-
tor Phipp of Colorado, provides that in the western
states where there are large areas of public lands
there shall be allowed a greater proportion of high
way funds than in states where lands are in private
ownership. Which means that states like Wyoming,
Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and other socalled
public land states will receive for road purposes, in
stead of one dollar for each dollar provided by the
state, three dollars to one or possibly even more,
owing to the area of public lands which may be with
in the state. The Yellowstone Park, the forest re-
serves and the many square miles of federal lands
within our borders will provide a large extra fund
for Wyoming roads.
Last year we received three million dollars of fed
eral aid. This year in all probability we will receive
something like three times that amount and no more
will be required from the state as its proportion than
formerly.
The American Automobile Association is enthusiast
tically for both the Townsend and Phipps measures
and not only the country in general but Wyoming in
particular is indebted to the association for the great
public work it has done, but we should join it in
urging our members in the congress to lend their sup
port for these beneficial measures.