Evening star., 1922-09-10
DECLARES DISTRICT
ROADS DISGRACE"
N. 0. EIdridge Of A. A. A.
Urges Other Organizations
to Seek Improvements.

OfTicials. of the District branch.
American Automobile Association,
have written to the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association offering
the cooperation of the association in
fight for better roads and schools
in the District of Columbia. NJ. o.
Eldridge. director of roads of the
American Automobile Associations
good roads board, who is q civil and
highway engineer Of high standing.
has been making q careful study OF
the streets of the District and has
come to the conclusion that they are
a Tasting disgrace to the nations
capital"
Ordinarily, / speak for the mo
torist," said Mr.. Eldridge yesterday.
land I maintain that the motorists
pay enough money in taxes to the
District Of Columbia to be entitled
to better roads than those on which
we are now compelled to ride. MO-
torists generally recognize that they
should pay the city's share for the
upkeep and repairs of the streets.
The estimates of the Commissioners
for needed repairs to streets, alleys
and suburban roads for the hscai
torists of the District paid into the
treasury for the fiscal year of 19z2
a total of S74s,6S4. This was paid as
follows: For registration. $34a,2SO:
for drivers licenses. $4,000: for per
sonaI property tax on automobiles
s225,00o: for fines and fees, slfa'4o4.
Calls Estimates Moderate.
with the present system of the
District paying go per cent of the
city's expenses and the government
40 per cent. this would entitle the
motorists to a fund of $1,250.0OO for
repairs on streets. alleys and sub
urban roads. as $74S,6s4 is approx
mately so per cent of this amount.
THE building of new roads, ac-
cording to all highway economics,
should come out of general funds:
estimate Of $1.soo,000 for this pur-
pose is extremely moderate.
Not only are the connecting streets
in a terrible state as a result OF lack
of repairs" continued Mr. Eldredge.
but arterial highways leading into
the country are in a state that beg
gars description. Wisconsin. Con-
necticut, Rhode Island and Georgia
avenues, all main highways, are dis
grace to any city the size of wash
ington.
were 524.92 miles of streets in the
District and over 269 miles. or more
than half of these streets. were all
water-bound macadam and gravel
and dirt roads. which quickly show
signs of wear under the heavy trafic
conditions of this city.
Would Impress Congress.
Congress must be impressed in
some manner with the fact that
tAI F,ft Df fher
whole United States and that every
citizen in every part of the country
is interested in having his or her
National Capital equal to that OF any
in the world.
"In the meantime there should be
some way of preventing the budget
committee, of which Mai. Gen. Lord
is chairman, from making any reduc-
tions in the appropriations for streets
until Congress has a chance to pass
on the figures submitted by the Dis
trict Commissioners in their estimates
just as pertinently to schools as to
streets, and while the American Auto
mobile Association devotes its efforts
to the interests of motorists. 1t will
be glad to aid in any educational
plans, because the A. A. A. believes
every future citizen of this country.
"I hope to see every civic organiIa-
tion in Washington taking part in a
fight for better streets here. because
poor streets reduce property values.
tear up automobiles, which are in
themselves valuable property, and
keep hundreds of our citizens from
seeking suitable homes in the SUBJ
urbs which cannot be reached now
on account Of street conditions. Real
estate men should be especially in
terested in this phase of the prob
lem, as lack, of good roads prevents
further beautifying of the nations
"a nifaln