New-York tribune., 1922-01-08
Nation Now
Has a Sound
Roads Policy
Amendments 10 Federal Aid
Act Provide for Adequate
Interstate Highway System
AM Mark Big Advance
Increased Attention to All
Transport Needs Expected
to Result From the Policy

Chairman. Highways Committee
National Automobile Chamber OF
Commerce.
In all the years Of highway trans
port development in this country 1921
stands out as the period in which
there has been the most forward look
ing CRY stalization of industrial, state
and national policies.
Within the short span of its days We
have finally come to realization Of
the fundamental fact that after all
neither the highway nor the vehicle
which travels over it can be considered
as things apart. To-day we know that
each is but an aspect of highway trans
port, and that it is only as the two to-
gether perform a real service to the
general public that either can be OF
lasting value.
The booster" period has passed. In
the future progress in highway trans
port must and will be measured upon
the basis Of economic facts both from
the standpoint of individual trans
portation and from the broader view
point of an interrelationship of all
forms of transportation.
Will Help Every Ones Business
The automotive manufacturer must
recognize TINS as he plans his produc-
tlon, the automotive dealer must study
and analyze it as ne surveys his selling
territory, the highway engineer must
take it into account as he complies
his estimates for highway construction
and ma ntenance. The city planning
expert must reckon with its influence
as he measures the future development.
OF his municipality. Its effect will be
found in real estate valuations. in our
recreatloH nal areas, in education, in
every phase of life here and abroad.
In the analysis of the events which
have brought the highway transport
officials of the country to these con-
illusions. three factors stand out in
sharp relief. although no one of them
can be considered separately. One is
Highway Act of 1921. second the
progress made by the Bureau of Pub
lie Roafs of the Department OF Agri-
culture under the leadership of T. II.
Macdonald and in elise cooperation
with state highway departments, and
third, the development or the work Of
the highway and highway transport
education committee.
4 Permanent Investment
In tn, passage of the amendments 70
the Federal aid act, the nation has
been provide with sound an inte IL
gent highway policy. Through its
recognition of the need for an ade-
qua and COZ nccted interstate high-
way system. through its concentration
of + 4eIal funds uNon state highway
systems net exceeding I per cent of
the total mileage of each state throu yli
its drastic maintenance requirements
aGd through rigid standars Of con-
sf,uc'ion in which future rs we'll as
prevailing tratfic needs must be taken
into account. the act marks a distinct
advance over all of our policies of the
past.
There is necessary to q full work
out only continuance of ample ap-
proprintions, such as the fve-year
program Of 100000 900 year for five
years already before Congress and
supported by a strong public sent-
ment It is inconccivable that this
will not be granted. but here there is
q definite field for endeavor for all
who believe in sound highway develop
ment
Burean Of Roads a Pioneer
The work of the Bureau of Public
Roads has been of pioneer char
acter and has led into many and d.
verse fields, including physical and
economic research, disscm nation OF