Evening star., 1928-03-25
ASKS SHADE TREES
FOR i. S. HIGHWAYS
Senator D. A. Reed Launches
Move in Congress for
Beautifying RoadsideS.
BY J. :. OLEARY.


A movement to beautify the highways
of the Nation. over which thousands of
tourists drive every year. by planting
shade trees at the roadside has been
launched In Congress.
Senator David A. Reed. Republican
Of Pennsylvania. gave the proposal a
start recently while the Senate was con-
sidering several changes in existing Fed
eral-aid road legislation. He secured
adoption of an amendment authorizing
the inclusion of shade trees in the speci-
fications for road work. wherever 1t is
deemed desirable by the Secretary of
Agriculture and the highway officials
of the States
The bin to which the amendment
was added Is the measure Of Senator
Oddie, Republican, of Nevada. and has
as its primary purpose the revision OF
certain existing requirements OF law
to meet new conditions. {
Provisions Of Bill Outlined.
It would permit the spending of more
mile on Federal-aid construction TO
provide wider roads where traffic and
population make greater width de-
sirabie. It also makes changes 10 take
care Of short stretches OF important
highways in public land States in the
West by increasing the percentage OF
Federal aid on such sections OF road
without. however. increasing the pro
rata share Of road money Tor those
States in fiscal year
This measure Is. separate from the
regular Federal-aid highway bill. TO De
called I'D later by Senator Phipps, Re-
publican. of Colorado, authorizing the
annual appropriations to continue the
road building program during the Ms
al years 1880 and 1881. The authori-
"a on for the fiscal year 1929 is con-
taino1 in existing law.
IA. O. is realize the necessity in
this country OF protecting Our roads, II
we can, by the use OF shade trees. where
IL will not injure q road or be 10 the
disadvantage Of the public the Penn
sylvania Senator told his colleagues in
advocating the roadside tree planting
amendment.
Objections by Blaine.
AS originally presented, the amend
ment would have left the tree planting
entirely 20 the discretion OF the De-
partment OF Agriculture. which admin
Isters the Federal-aid program. ThA
met objection from Senator Blaine. Re-
publican OF Wisconsin, who feared the
Federal Government might acquire TOO
much Jurisdiction over the roads OF the
country in connection with Federal ald.
Senator Reed modified the amendment
10 require the concurrent approval of
| the State highway departments, and no
| further objection was raised.
Horticuiturigts In the Department OF
Agriculture have found that interest in
| the beautifying OF rural highways mas
| been stimulated greatly by the advent
| and rapid growth OF automobile travel.
Interest In country highways In the
| United States has increased more rapid
| ~ during the last few years than ever
| before in a similar length OF time"
( according to bulletin prepared by
! Furman Lloyd Mulford of the Bureau
| OF Plant Industry. Even communities
! that In the past have been content With
| trails suitable only for horseback rid
| ing and haif-loaded wagons now feel
| the need Of roads over which II is pos
| sible 10 take an automobile.
Pleasure Driving Factor.
"A large proportion Of this trafiic
! is pleasure driving. and much OF II Is
| of such a character that IL viii seek
| the most beautiful routes II the road
| surface Is good, Appropriate planting
often adds the needed touch. and always
/ goes far toward making a road attrac-
/ tive. The combination Of an acceptable
! road surface well shaded with good trees
| will often entice traveller along route
| that leads 10 worthwhile natural beauty
| beyond"
! The bulletin calls attention also 10
| The deBirability OF unity Of action In
| tree planting along open highways. IL
| points out that. as rule. longer
| stretches Of country road are visible
| al one time, and that the faster rate
| Of travel means different sections OF
| road will be passed SO rapidly that It
will appear SIS a tumble II proper care
| is not exercised IN the tree planting
| The Oddie bill, with the amendment
/ relating 10 tree planting. has gone 10
| the House for consideration.