Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-21

A movement destined TO have the
most decisive effect upon the economic
future of South America, through
whose development this country in
evitably will profit, is at present MAX
ing itself felt in no uncertain manner
in that continent. The reference is TO
highway construction.
{ During the past few years construc-
ton work and appropriations nave
been constantly increasing in every
country of South America. Extensive
planning of great highway systems
has been going forward, and the ann
is the eventual linking of all South
American cities by means OF high-
ways passable at all times of the year:
Those who have had supervision OF
this work have profited from their
study of other countries road sys-
TENS, and the contemplated construc-
ton, along with that already com
pleted, is designed to give the CONT
nent q modern system of highways
People of the United States, accus-
toned to thinking of highway con
struction in terms Of billions of dollars,
NAV be inclined to consider the sums
appropriated by the various govern
nents and municipalities in South
America as insignificant. But it must
he remembered that only A few years
20 road construction outside of cities
was almost unknown. most travel he
ing eithe<- done by infrequent railway
lines CT over narrow trails.
Newspapers support Movement.
Eewspa pers OF Latin American coun-
tries now are thoroughly behind the
good roads movement. Any backward
ness which may have been exhibited
on their part was dissipated soon after
the visit OF the foremost journalists
OF Latin America TO the United States
early in 1926. They then were given
an opportunity Of gaining first-hand
knowledge as to what highways had
done for the United States, and AT the
same time were enabled to acquire
much valuable information regarding
the proper means of establishing and
CO ordinating a modern roads system
As an indica ton of the interest be-
! ing displayed throughout South Amer
ica, the various Pan-American high
way conferences are illustrative.
Aside from these, numerous states
have been holding annual national
. highway congress at which the de
Velopment of their road systems has
heen discussed. suggestions have been
made. and committees have been APP
pointed for The purpose of studying
various highway problems
So Keen has been the interest that
suggestions even have been made FOR
the building Of 4 Pan-American high.
Nav running from Ottawa, Canada.
and connecting all capitals located on
the American ma inlandS. This plan.
although eventually II may be carried
cut, at present is impossible because
al the great difficulties which will
have TO he overcome in those coun.
tries lying along the Andes and the
vast expense involved. Feats of noun
tain road construction will have to be
accomplished at a cost which the
8 Southern republics concerned now are
unable 10 afford. For that reason this
highway, at present AZ any rate. must
remain a dream Of the future.
One Of the most ambitious highway
development programs now is con
tCmplajed in Brazil, %where the Fourth
National Highway Conference at the
close Of 1925 mapped out system Of
roads radiating from Sac Paulo 10 the
capital Of each federal state Of that
republic. Some Of these roads now
are under construction and recently
/ 600 men were put to work 10 com
plete the road from Sac Paulo 10 Rio
de Janeiro. capital Of Brazil.
Early this year the government
created national road fund, TO which
was allotted the sum Of 81 500, 900 foi
1927 This sum VIII he increased II
1928 to 81 400, 900. The money is raised
by increased duties on important tons
al gasoline and HutOmotiVe products
The State Of Sac Paulo, which is the
center Of the rich coffee growing dis
ryict, recently established a depart
ment of agriculture and bureau q
public roads, modelled upon that of the
United States. 4 special highway
fund has been set aside for road de
velopment and an external loan o
fl1 500 600 for highway purposes VA
authorized last year. .-..-.-..-