, 1923-03-18
CAR TAKES CITY
MAN To COUNTRY
AND VICE VERSA
Public Recognizing Social In
fuence of Automobile on
Whole Nation.
BY ROY ID. CHAPLIN
Vice President. National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce.

man in overalls and a straw hat hard
at work with the hoe was convincing
evidence that he was a farmer. store
clothes bespoke the city dweller.
Times and the road have changed.
Highway transport is sending the
city man out to the country at the
close OF his days work and brinRlne
the farmer and his family into town.
Public recognition of III social in
huence OF highway transport has
been perhaps Il outstanding de-
velopment Of the past year. The
second national conference held by
the Highway Education Board served
to crystalize opinion which has been
growing steadily, and many arc
studying the influence OF the motor
vehicle on h sociological as well as
the economic problems OF the day.
II is no longer necessary to talk
in general terms. We are beginning
to obtain specific evidence OF the in
1uence OF highway transport upon
lfe in this country. Definite traffic
studies now under way under the
direction OF the Bureau OF Public
Roads Indicate clearly the flow of
commodities from farm to market
and from market to market
Suburban Home Developments.
Economic studies by the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce
disclose a growing use of the vehicle
by the laboring class n a conse-
quent decrease in their overhead
costs OF living through homes taken
farther put in h country. Intima
tions OF unprecedented suburban de.
ve'opments are seen in the inclination
of the man who lives In the city 10
get out far enough to have n home
of his w n a plot OF grass for his
children.
The task which remains is one OF
developing the vast network OF high.
ways necessary to complete com
munication. Broad financial policies
must be aid down 10 insure an ex-
pedited but efficient program of ex-
penditure. Centralized control is
essential in order hat there may be
a proper relation between the pos
sible earning power OF the road and
tn cost of its construction and main
tenance.
The construction of highways is II
benefit not alone to those of us who
are paying the taxes today, but to
those who will follow. II we are to
have the ROADS ii our lifetime. We
muat predicate our initial outlay in
many Instances upon serial bond
issues which viii give US and u
children the road at a reasonable
rental for itsSpse.
Property values. whether in the
city or country. are definitely affect
ed by highway Improvement and II
So 49,. - -r11AA1 rl..rIf.~ &c.. -
financial standpoint, the full prop
erty power OF the State should be
thrown behind State bond issues.
The cad user should be willing to
pay all OF the costs OF maintaining
the highway. not 80 much as a mat
ter OF principle, as because his operat-
ing costs will be directly Influenced
by the quality OF the highway on
which he is driving, and when all is
said and done. the motor vehicle fee
offers the most direct protection to
the States investment in the high
way. because it is an annual revenue
and can be directed against an annual
charge.
Maintenance Fund Essential.
ANY use of motor fees which de
fleets funds from this fundamental
use is vicious and should not be
c-ountenanced. It is scarcely over
stating the case to say hat construc
ton OF n road, save in emergency
purposes. without an assured mainte-
nance fund is criminal misuse Of
public funds and should be punished
as such.
1t is also important that county
systems bear some relation to State
Improvement. as otherwise the less
important highway might be i'm.
proved at the expense OF the more
important-as stated in terms OF
traffic, the only fair measure.
The program is so large and such
large funds are at issue that we must
weigh all Of the factors carefully
when planning any construction.
Varying conditions. varying stages OF
development. render impossible any
definite. detailed statement OF policy
applicable to all alike.
But the important thing is that we
must not ostrich-like bury ourselves
in the detail and so lose sight of the
objective. Either the highway makes
for social and economic betterment.
or. II IL not worth while. II II stands
either test. then II should be financed.
constructed. maintained. and oper-
ated In a manner destined to give the
utmost service TO the public which
sooner or later must pay the bill. as
Il has 70 pay the bill for any other
transportation service.