Evening star., 1928-12-16
BL WILL p. KENNEDY.

~ RESIDENT COOLIDGE looks for
ward to signing, before he re-
tires from the White House on
March 4. a bill binding the
peoples of the Western Hemis-
phere together in closer association and
facilitating the interchange of COM
merce by building of wide inter-
American highway through Mexico,
Central and South America which VIII
connect with the great radial highways
to all parts of the United States.
The President urged such a high
way in his annual message to Congress.
It dovetails in with President-elect
Hoover's unprecedented goodwin Z
visit to the peoples of Mexico, the
Central and South American coun-
tries. Mr.. Hoover in public utterance
and in conference with those fatherlng
the legislation has emphasized that this
Is one of the great forward-looklng
projects of the moment. He has re-
peatedly shown his interest in the es-
tablishment of mail and passenger air.
ship routes to South America. 1t is
pointed out that great highway, 200
feet wide would afford continuous
landing field, as well as marking the
route for aviators, through a rapidly
developing country where Lindbergh had
to pioneer his way on his mission as
aerial ambassador of good will. Mr..
Hoover's present trip lends new in
terest to the project which is soon to
have strong congressional Endorsement.
Bill Is Introduced.
Representative Cyrenus Cole of Iowa,
a newspaper editor and publisher and
author Of several books on political and
historical subjects, yesterday introduced
d.. ~ M OH
appropriation of $50,000. out of which
fund the President is directed to CO.
operate with the various republics in
terested in any way that will be most
helpful, and to the fullest extent.
Chairman Porter of the foreign affairs
committee is deeply interested in this
legislation and, after brief hearing
for representatives of the State De-
partment and spokeSmen for the Pan
American Union, the bill is expected
to be reported to the House soon after
the Christmas holidays and to become
a law at the present short session of
Congress
In his annual message to Congress
the President reminded the legislative
body that last year he expressed the
view that Eve should lend our encour-
agement for more good roads to all the
principal points on this hemisphere
south of the Rio Grande." He declared
that his view had not changed in the
meantime and that the Pan-American
Union had indorsed it.
On Conference Agenda.
The agenda for the Pan-American
Conference at Rio de Janeiro next
July has this Inter-American High
way as one of the principal topics for
discussion, and the future action of the
United States Government is de-
pendent upon what is decided at that
conference. The attitude of the United
States is not to try to force any
action which might be construed as an
effort to create a market for road
building material automobiles and ac-
ceSsories. but to show the sister repub-
lies that the United States is ready to
cooperate to the limit in whatever de-
cision they may make looking toward
the building Of a great connecting
highway to promote closer acquaintance
and friendship and mutually profitable
commerce
President Coolidge told Congress that
"in some of the countries to the south
great deal of progress is being made
in road building. In others engineer
ing features are often exacting and
financing difficult. As these countries
tIlISI upUIl pICSIau1S lOt IUdQ Dul1OtIlS
We should be ready to contribute from
our abundant experience to make their
task easier of accomplishment I pre-
fer not to go into civil life to accom-
plish this end. We already furnish
military and naval advisers. ard fol-
lowing this precedent we could draw
competent men from these same sources
and from the Department of Agricul-
ture.
Would Provide Aid.
1--WE should provide our Southern
neighbors, if they request it, wits such
engineer advisers for the construction
of roads and bridges Private interests
should look with favor upon all rea-
sonable loans sought by these countries
to open up main lines of travel. Such
assistance should be give7 especially
to any project for highway designed
to connect all the countries on this
hemisphere and thus facilitate inter-
course and closer relations among
them"
The President also pointed out that
the friendly relations and the ex-
tensive commercial intercourse with the
Western Hemisphere to the south of
us are being further cemented by the
establishment and extension of air.
mail routes
In the last session Congress, through