Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-15
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

superb American roads, extending
for thousands of miles in every di-
| rection. born of the automobile and
nurtured by its increasing demands
are the envy of the world and that
envy is being translated into pro-
gressive and constructive action in
a score Of countries widely separated
by natural boundaries.
Built up as a direct result of the
invention and widespread use of the
motor vehicle, the American high =
way system stands as a monumental
work of twentieth century civiliZa-
ton, and with the onward sweep of
the United States-made automobile
in various parts of the world, coupled
with increasing utilization Of all types
and makes of machines. splendid
roads are being constructed almost
everywhere. And the power of roads
and automobiles as a civiliZing force
is growing nightly.
Apparently. not a portion of this
planet is exempt from the road
building program. In Siam. in
Persia, in Australia, in Germany, in
France and the United Kingdom new
roads are being built and old ones
reconditioned and that list Of states
merely skins the surface. Official
reports from practically every corner
of the globe tell story of highway
construction. of the laying out of a
new network of connecting links, of
the piercing of new fields of the
bringing into closer proximity of
heretofore isolated spots.
Likeness to Early Railroad Days.
There Is no possible way of over
estimating the importance of this
movement, so universal throughout
the world at the present moment.
There Is something sweeping and
thrilling about it, something glori
Gus and romantic, S well as some
thing of the very first economic
significance. 1t Is not fanciful to
say that the world is now witnessing
a period and development compa
rable-and, perhaps. even exceeding
ito the time, not so many years
ago. when the railroads began polk
ing inquisitive noses into the wilder
nesses of the world, bringing prog
ress. prosperity and thorough
going material Well being in their
wake.
The road builder of this year is
laying the ties for an element which
knows no limitations and which has
no bounds other than complete i'm
FEASIBILITY of pathway. This ele-
ment needs only a narrow clearing
through the woods to afford 1t pas
sageway. and requires none at all
across plains or steppes.
But the worlds road builders of
today are constructing for the future.
To tho ends of thu rtl
advices telling of broad plans for
solidly built highways, of the fact
that crews are even now working
on new fine roads through inacces-
sible regions.
No mathematician lives who can
gauge accurately the actual material
benefit which viii accrue to the world
as whole as direct result of this
great highway construction move
ment now under way. nor is there
a statistician anywhere who would
dare hazard a guess.
But it is not hard. putting the
imagination TO work in even con-
sentative fashion, to visualize the
changed surface of things say so
years from now-that is. If the
present movement is uninterrupted.
And II may he accepted that it will
be and that, in addition. the develop
ment will gain momentum. gain
force. gain power and gain univer-
salty with the passage of time. OF
that much there appears to be def
mite certainty.
Where Is 1t to Lead.
What will be the result of all this
in so. or even % years? What will it
mean and where is II likely 70 leadS
LARGE questions and all.snoarupaAn,