Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-03
PRIVATE TOLL BRIDGES
CALLED MENACE TO
U. S. BY ROAD CHIEF

Continued From Fifth Page)
chief. These are: These principal de-
mands for such laws emanate from
those in control of other types of trans
portation. They come from the opera
tors OF motor transport lines them
selves. The object in both cases Is to
limit and control competition.
Mr.. Macdonald suggests that an in
telligent method of controlling these
demands for laws and regulations would
be TO submit them to a Federal board
made up of representatives Of existing
Federal departments and bureaus. from
which would issue, in his judgment,
which could be applied to the great
betterment of the whole structure OF
transportation facilities.
ut is not necessary to have any new
laws or new bureaus, or anything more
than cooperation between existing
Federal agencies in a study OF the
whole transportation problem. Regu-
lation Of all public transportation agen-
cies In the interest of the public Is
necessarily sound. But 1t Is time to
think of constructive regulation. and
all the facts. They should be devel-
oped."
Congestion Commented On.
Cooperative effort is the only means
available for prevention of highway
congestion, in Mr.. MacDonald's view.
"Commendable progress is being made
in the States having the largest high.
way traffic in perfecting their arterial
roads in ways that largely will do away
with congestion" he points out.
Widening to four lanes, elimination Of
grade intersections and by-passing city
streets are the most effective methods.
In this direction Massachusetts,, New
York and New Jersey all have made
notable progress The capacity of the
four-lane road is remarkable.
The highway congestion problem can
be met outside the metropolitan dis
tricts within reasonable time. It Is
within these districts that the real prob
lem exists and to considerable degree
on roads not on the Federal aid or
State systems. To carry traffic safely
and quickly to and from the business
districts of larger cities is a real prob
lem. and the expense involved Is ire
mendous
Here Is the way Mr. Macdonald re-
CARDS misuse of our roadsides:
There Is little of fairness to the
public in the fact that the industries
which depend upon the highways for
their whole business should be the worst
offenders In erecting and maintaining
thousands of glaring. disf1guring signs
along our streets and roadways.
Filling Stations Also Hit.
1.-THE most blantly offensive of these
shrek at the traveller, in hopeful search
of the beauty of the countryside and a
restful, uplifting change from city
streets, to buy gas and oil, automobiles
grease and tires. The tourist is luridly
enticed to stop most frequently at Sec
ond-rate hotels.
1T is to the credit of many of the
producers of the best products that their
wares are not advertised in this way
Also note should be made of certain oil
companies and others who have with
drawn from this practice.
The billboard advertisers are not
the only offenders against the highWt VS.
Nine out of every 10 of the roadside
filling stations and lunch stands merit
the condemnation rather than the pa
tronage of the passer-by.
These conditions will not be cured
by scolding. The larger companies will
abandon these inVaSionS of the rights
of the public. some through an awaken
ed conscience others through necessity
because this fight for clean roadssdes
Is Just starting.
"A number of the State highway de-
partments have made splendid progress
and some notable legislation has been
made effective. One of the best of such
laws is that of Connecticut, which IL
censes all roadside filling stations, re-
quires the location and arrangement to
be approved, and keeps this business
off the right of way.
Beauty Aim Stressed.
THE amendment to the Federal high
| way legislation providing for partici-
patton in planting along the roadside
| is a forward step and one which will
receive the full and earnest support of
the bureau Its present weakness lies
In the limitation of the maximum cost
per mile that may be paid from Fed
eral funds for all purposes. This limit
alton is fruitful source of embarrass
ment But the bureau proposes to assist
with competent and expert advice all
undertakings to improve and beautifv
our roadsides Other bureaus of the
| Department of Agriculture, particular
/ ly the Forest Service and the Bureau of
| Plant Industry. also may be relied upon
to give very valuable assistance. After
somewhat extensive inspection of the
| highways of other countries, l am con-
WINGED that very large part of the
! favorable comment they arouse. and
| The pleasure of driving over them come
| from the planting and care of the road
sides. We cannot longer fail to make
roadside protection and beauty a tr,1-
| iv national nr0ierf