Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-04-25
CONGRESS ASKED
70 PROVIDE FOR
HIGHWAY WORK

Washington ~
s,+rres will be necessary to
=. ~ the two and half million
~ Of rural highways in the
nli ,.od states up to the standard
Efficiency comparable to their
Oh oonded use in motor transpor-
eA s.,on in the opinion of the joint
W.. 'a.sressional commission OF agri-
'Or1 ,.,ral inquiry, whose general
.1usions on the subject were
'aounced today by Chairman
~ the second report of the
,nmission's studies. the first
.ring dealt with agricultural
...,ght aa rates, the chairman also
ne da known its conclusions re-
u"rding electric railway develop
sa s'ant as affecting rural communi-
% Hss and questions relating to the
postal service.
Cooperation Necessary
rbe commission, Chairman An
dorson said, will recommend that
congress continue to promote an
sdeouate program of highway con
strnction and maintenance direct
~ "a n the more effective correla-
zion of highway transportation
With rail and water transporta-
t,on and that the states and
oounties also continue their high
nov nrograms with particular ref
arence to farm to. market roads.
The necessity Of cooperation
among the states to effect a uni
form basis for taxing motor trucks
and other motor vehicles, to fair
" represent the proportion OF
highway expenses chargeable to
such vehicles, will be urged by the
commission, it was said as well as
Tho need for uniform regulation
Of motor traffic.
Uniform Laws Needed
at is already clear" the chair
man said, "that there is a wide
variation in principle and appli-
cation of the various state and 10
cal regulations affecting intra
state traffic. Studies Of local motor
transportation should be expand
ed as rapidly as possible to afford
a definite basis for uniform regu-
lation Of motor transportation in
order that the inconvenience, ex-
pense and inefficiency Of opera
ton occasioned by a lack Of uni
formity in state and federal legis-
lation in the future may as far as
possible be avoided"
The commission was said to
view with optimism the future of
interurban electric lines serving
rural communities in view Of the
tendency to recognize the necessi-
ty for an adequate return in rates
for the service demanded by the
public. Their value, not only as
freight carriers, but as quick
means of access to towns by rural
residents, was emphasized as the
conclusions announced by Chair
man Anderson.
The commissions study Of the
postal service as relating to the
farmer was said to have conyinc-
ed 1t that increased postage rates
on second class mail matter, not
withstanding reductions of fourth
class matter (parcel post) have
been particularly burdensome on
farm publications"
1t was pointed out that the SER
vice rendered in the distribution
OF class matter entailed less ex-
pense than for parcel post, the
volume of which was estimated to
constitute at present three fourths
OF the total postal tonnage.
The commission will recon-
mend to congress-" the chairman
said, that study be made to de-
termine what branches of the. pos
tal services are self sustaining
with a view to making the entire
service self sustaining, or more
nearly in accordance with the
costs. This should be done by
proper readjustment of charges
and removal of present rate in
conslstencies. The purpose of hold
ing the postal service responsive
TO the needs of the agricultural
community should be constantly
Kept in view"