Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-03-14
At the Forefront

evidence of Georgla's suDstanrla
n nroeress made in those things tha'
make for the basic development
of natural resources, is contained IN statlstlcs
compiled by the Highway News Dlgest'
notification that notes the advance OF the
pood roads movement throughout the United
states How remarkably Georgia has gone
forward in the construction of modern high
ways during the comparatively snort tllne
since the state has been receiving federal
aid in road building, is shown by the fact
that uu to December 81, 1921, this COM
monwealth had completed more highway
projects and expended more money Tor gooo
roads enterprises than any other state III
the Union.
The statistics compiled by the Highway
News Digest show Georgia at the very fore
front in the matter of highway development
and in taking advantage of the opportunity
To provide first-grade transportation faclll-
ties During the period in which federal
highway funds have been used IN georgia
approximately two years-nlnety-seVen
projects have been completed at an expendl-
ture of s8,3S6,469.12. This is more than
twice the number of projects, and more than
twice the amount of money expended for
highway development by any other South
Atlantic state. It is a better record OF &C
complishment than any other state of the
Union, as is shown by lengthy table OF
figures compiled from official records.
That is not to say that Georgia has bet
ter highways than any other state, but 1t
does indicate that Georgia has been making
better use Of her opportunity and has
better grasp Of the possibilities of highway
development.
The gradually broadening federal program
of highway improvement has made possible
an UNNECESSARILY increased scope of activity
&no
reason or another, failed to take full adj
vantage of the federal highway funds for
some years, but once the significance or the
situation became fully apparent to Geor-
gians generally, the state laws were revised
so as to make federal highway funds avail
able to the full extent.
The result has been to put the good roads
movement in Georgia in the limelight of
public thought and consideration. The COM
uIetiou of many vital and much needed high
way projects in practically every section of
the state has been the best demonstration
that could have been conceived. People in
remote districts, deprived of vehicular trans
portation except in good weather, have
learned that with scientifically constructed
roads and bridges, it is possible and prac-
ticable to travel in comfort and safety every
day in the year. Hence the rapidly crystal
Iizing sentiment for an even wider program
OF highway work.
This sentiment is being evidenced in the
growing demand for a state bond issue of
SIS ,00O,O 900 to complete in short period
of years system of frst-class roads that
will cover the entire state, forming net
work of highways linking together every
county seat and providing arteries of traffic
tapping every community.
Other states throughout the southeast
where highway development has been
slow are waking up to the posi-
bilities offered, by the use of federal funds.
They zee Georgia's progress and determine
to move forward. Thus the Empire State
of the South, by pushing it's own highway
improvement program, not only contributes
directly to the prosperity of it's people, but
secures the indirect benefit accrung from
the improvement of conditions in its sister
states