Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-25
BUREAU HEAD
GIVES REPORT
ON ROAD Aid
Records Of Fiscal Year
Show Federal Parti-
cipa tion on 1874
Miles

WASHINGTON. Nov. 2i.-Report-
ing on the years activities Of the
Bureau Of Public Roads. Thos. Il.
Macdonald. chief Of the bureau. en-
phasized the functions Of the bureau
as a research organization operating
in behalf Of all road building ngcn-
cies, and also the ~servi,s OF the
bureau in coordinating the various
highway systems including those
designated ms federal aid, state. for
est. and park highways.
The report made public IN Score
tary of Agriculture Jardine sum-
marizes the work Of the bureau for
the year ending June 30, 1928. and
includes detailed reports uf work
done in each state. Of sums expend-
ed and results achieved ~ the high
way engineers, and also Of the va
rious studies Of drainage. irrigation.
machinery. and farm construction
which have gone forward under the
division Of agricultural engineering.
Aid S.lSi Miles Of Roads
During the fiscal year Of 1928"
says Mr.. Macdonald. improvements
were completed on S.fs4 miles Of
federal-aid road which had rot prev
iously been improved with federal
assistance. Advanced stages az i'm
provemert were completed on 2.Ofi
miles. At the close OF the year mi
tial Improvements were in progress
on 9.i34 miles and advanced ar stage
construction vas under way on l.
2s5 miles,
The total cost Of the $751; miles
Of initial construction and the 2.O14
miles Of stage construction complet-
ed was s205. 043. 7s4, Of which the
federal government paid Sss.O56.asi.
or fS per cent. and the states the
balance. The largest disbursements
during the year were made 10 Him
ois, Iowa, Kansas. New York. Penn
sylvania and Texas. To each or these
states the federal government paid
during the year moro than $4,000
goo. All other states received less
than that amount.
Rsps Toll Bridges
Mr.. Macdonald discussed al length
2f.eiO pounds. but the Florida mimi
murn has increased 10 $4,000 pounds.
valley citrus fruit boxes also 20 at
20 pounds weight. while Florida
boxes take 90 pounds weight.
IN commenting upon a recent
criticism Of the new minimum, the
traffic manager reviewed the cstab-
iishment Of the rate and minimum
as follows:
The Interstate Commerce commits
sion rendered a decision last July
making radical reductions i'm the
rates on citrus fruits from Florida
TO destinations. which the Lower
Rio Grande Valley had with reason
regarded as their distributing terri
tory, and 10 became Gee sary FOR
quick action on the part Of tho lines
serving the Valley IN order ~ pre-
vent severe losses on the shipments
from the Valley.
AS q result Of this n conference
was held ~ Austin AZ which time
were present 7. NJ. Melden. J. H..
blanton and Mr.. Myars. Who Rad
been employed to handle the matters
81 representing the shippers with
carriers representatives,, which in
cluded myself.
TT was decided then that some
action should be taken and this re-
suited IN a further conference at st.
Louis. M which time Thos. O'NeiI cf
Los Angeles, J. ". Hall Of Mercedes
and Mr.. Hogan Of Los Angeles we're
present with the original members
OF the conference. and n plan VI
action was mapped out. which was
to be followed "a continue the VAL
ley on a competitive basis.
AS the Florida rates were tn be
effective November S, tho ordinary
Continued on page two.)