Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-04-25
LARGE EXPENDITURES !.
|. TO BRING RURAL ROAD
BUILDING T0SiANOARD
ny Associated PressI

penditures will be necessary to bring
the two and a half million miles of
rural highways in the United States
up to the standard of efficiency COM
parable to their extended use in motor
transportation, in the opinion of the
joint congressional commission of ag-
rfcu1tural inquiry whse general con-
illusions on the subject were announc-
ed today by Chairman Anderson. In
the second report on the commissions
studies, the first having death with
agricultural freight rates, the chair
man also made known its conclusions
regarding electric railway develop
ment as affecting rural communities
and questions relating to the postal
service.
The commission, Chairman Ander-
son said, will recommend that con-
gress continue to promote an ade-
quate program of highway construc-
ton and maintenance directed to the
more effective correlation of highway
Transportation with rail and water
Transportation, and that the states
and counies also continue their high
way programs with particular refer
ence to farm-to-market roads.
The necessity of cooperation among
the states to effect uniform basis
for taxing motor trucks and other
motor vehicles, to fairly represent the
proportion of highway expenses char
geable to such vehicles, will be urged
lby the commission, it was said, as
we'll as the need for uniform regula-
ton of motor traffic. ~.
ut is already clear" the chairman
isaid, "that there is wide variation
lin principle and application of the va
irious state and local regulations af-
| fecting intrastate traffic. Studies of
local motor transportation should be
expanded as rapidly as possible to af-
ford definite basis for Inform regu-
lation of motor transportation in or
der that the inconvenience, expense
and inefficiency of operation OCCASION
ed by lack of uniformity in state
and federal legislation in the future
may as far as possible be avoided"
The Importance of motor transpor-
tation to the farmer was found not
only to have been its effect in ex-
tending and Broadening his markets,
it was said, but in the sharply reduc-
ed cost of moving his produce to mar
; ket. This was illustrated in the COM
missions estimates that in 1918 the
cost of wagon hauling from farm to
shipping point averaged about 80
cents per ton mile for wheat, SO
cents for corn and SO cents for cot
ton, while by motor truck or tractor
the averages were ,15 cents cotton,
wheat and corn and 10 cents for cot
ton.
The commission was said to view
with optimism the future of interur-
ban electric lines serving rural COM
munities in view of the tendecy to
recognize the necessity for an ade-
quate return in rates for the service
demanded by the public. Their value
not only as freight carriers but as a
quick means of access to towns for
rural residents was emphasized in the
conclusions announced by Chairman
Anderson.
The commissions study of the pos
tai service as relatin to the farmer
vas said to have convin"el it that
increased postae rate on second class
mail matters, Notwithstanding reduc-
tons of fourth class matter (parcel
post), has been particularly burden
some" upon farm publications. 1t
was pointed out that the service rem
dered in the distribution of escond
class matter entailed les expense than
1of parcel post, the volume OF which
was estimated to now constitute three
fourths of the total postal tonnage
"The commission will recommend to
congress-" the chairman said, "that
study be made to determine what
branches of the postal service are self
sustaining with view to making the
e..tire service self-sustaining, or more
nearly in accordance with the costs
This should be done by proper read
justments of charges and removal of
present rate inconsistencies. The
purpose of holding the postal service
responsive to the needs of the agri-
cultural community should be con-
stantly kept in view"