Evening star., 1928-12-16
ROAD LINKING AMERICAS
is NEARER REALIZATION
President Coolidge Hoping to Sign Bill
Starting Project That Will Bind
Western Nations.

the House committee on foreign af-
fairs, gave extensive study to the Inter-
American Highway proposal, which Is
also sometimes called the "Pan-Ameri-
can Highway" The first bill was pre-
sented by Representative Clarence j.
Mcleod Republican. of Michigan,
which proposed that the highway start
at some point in Canada and traverse
the United States, thence through
Mexico, the Central American states
and the states of South America.
After extensive hearings with the
committee on foreign affairs, in hearth
est approval of the purpose, the ques-
ton of procedure arose, and the Ques-
ton of policy, procedure and work.
ing program was referred to subcom-
mittee consisting of Representative
Cole, Iowa, chairman; Representative
Temple. Pennsylvania, and Representa-
tive O'Connell of New York. This sub
committee has held conferences with
representatives of the State Depart
ment. since the subject was one affect
ing relations with many other countries;
with representatives of the National
Highway Commission. with engineers OF
the Bureau of Public Roads OF the De-
partment of Agriculture, which the
President suggested could give valuable
technical and practical assistance IN
road building problems, and with others
interested in the project
Substitute Resolution Passed.
The foreign affairs committee unani-
mously approved substitute resolution
drafted by the subcommittee in order
to bring the matter before Congress and
to take action in conformity with certain
resolutions which had been passed by
the Sixth International Conference OF
American States held at Havana,
Cuba. This resolution authorizes the
President to utilize the existing agen-
cies of the Government to gather data
on the proposed undertaking. The
agencies on which the President has prl-
marily depended are the State De-
partment and the National Highway
Commission under the Department OF
Agriculture.
The project under consideration in
wolves so many foreign governments
that, in the opinion of the committee,
the procedure should be by the CO.
operation of all governments concerned
rather than by the action of any one
of them. Fortunately the action of
the Sixth International Conference of
American States has formed basis for
such cooperation.
1t is thought that by such action |
the United States can best express |
what is called its utmost interest in |
the project submitted at Havana, and |
also to cooperate to the fullest extent |
Sentiment Is Strong.
The construction of the proposed !
highway, or highways-for they VIII |
naturally radiate in several directions, !
especially in South America-may seem |
like something dreamed of, Representa-
tive Cole points out, but without doubt |
this dream, vast as it is, will be re- /
allied within comparatively short |
time, leaders in Congress and both !
President Coolidge and PreSldent-elect |
Hoover believe. There Is both strong |
pan-American sentiment in favor OF !,
it and an economic demand for it. Many |
years ago James G. Blaine, conspic- !
uously proposed similar project IN |
the form of a pan-American railroad. |
But at the present time, leaders in Con-
gress point out. the world is thinking |
in terms of motor transport, which has |
in part at least superseded railroad |
transportation, and so the big inter-
national project now naturally takes |
the form of a highway.
Not only will this highway be used |
for automobiles and motor trucks. but
it will serve those who in the future
VIII lIdFC1 oAlO VI dAioPOAe oNPPAASo bJ
air routes. With this purpose in mind,
the proposed highway will be of such |
width that it will, at any point, and |
at any time. afford safe landing for |
airplaneS that may be compelled to de- /
scend for safety It will also serve as !
a marker for those who travel by air. !
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh was able, to !
blaze his own way across these track |
less spaL but all other pilots cannot |
follow the guideless ways that this ven-
turesome and intrepid young man pur-
sued on his lone flight, Representative !
Cole emphasizes.
Government officials, including Presi- |
dent-elect Hoover, are particularly con-
cerned about the good will and inter- |
national unity among all the republics |
of the two American continents which |
may be promoted by the projected pam |
American highway. Nations that are
now separated will be brought closer
together People that now sometimes
misunderstood each other may be |
brought into better mutual understand |
ings. Along this highway there will be |
a constant interchange of ideas, as well |
as interchange of commerce.
High officials of-tle Government and |
leaders in Congress declare that as an
evidence and a promoter OF good will
among the nations affected, this project
will be worth all 1t costs and much |
more.