Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
AIMS OF FARMERS
FOR ROADS GIVEN
Statements Clarity Federal
Aid Wanted for Highways
Leading to Markets.
BY JAMES w. BROOKS,
Director, American Highway Educational
Bureau,

0lreCtors american HIGHWAY educational
Bureau.
The aims Of farm organizations with
reference to increased Federal aid for
highways have been greatly clarified
in statements made before the House
committee on roads in connection with
hearings on the Dowell bill. Two or
CARNATIONS in particular, the American
Farm Bureau Federation and the Ma
ttonal Grange, have contributed TO this
Qualification.
In stating the position the Farm
Bureau Federation holds, Chester H.
Gray called attention to a bit Of half
forgotten highway history. Said he:
There has been some misunderstand-
ing as to what constitutes farm-to-
market highways. In our impression, it
covers everything which has been done
down to date under authorization Of
Congress administered under the Bu-
reau Of Public Roads since the high
way act was adopted. Our slogan
then and our slogan now in supporting
appropriations for highway work Is for
farm-to-market highways, the same
slogan that we used in 1921, when the
organization I now represent, as well
as many others, had to band them
selves together to defeat what was
known as the Townsend bill, which was
not by any stretch of imagination a
farm-to-market highway bill"
Supported Main Routes.
Unreserved support was given to the
United States Bureau Of Public Roads
In its policy Of carrying out the princi-
pie Of building main routes first. In
support of the pending measure pro-
viding for an increase in Federal aid,
Mr. Gray went so far as to say that the
farm members in his organization
would not hesitate to approve $780,
100000 annually. But there is no use,
as legislative project, standing for a
thing the, Bureau of Public Roads and
the State highway engineers jointly say
Il little ahead of their ability to eX-
pend the money wisely, and we are will
ing to abide by their decision. If they
say they cannot, on account Of engineer
ing, construction and maintenance
conditions, wisely spend more than
$l25, 000, 600 q year, that for the present
is the extent of our advocacy of Federal
funds for the purposes contemplated
In this bill. If We can go little fur
tf1er in other bills under later construc-
ton, can promise you that we will be
In support of these other bills. Partic-
ularly, we want to 60 into the build
ing OF secondary roads by State govern
ments with help from the Federal Gov
eminent, and the quicker we can get
ulUO JL1dt pTOSIdOl, the OeICeE IL Will
please the rural population"
Similar support of the present policy
Of State highway officials and the
United States Roads Bureau in building
main routes first was expressed by Fred
Brencknan on behalf of the National
Grange.
Two-thirds Built.
According to the best information
we can get" said Mr.. Brenckman,
about two-thirds of the per cent
system has now been built or improved.
The remaining one-third of the roads
In the per cent system. to all prac-
teal intentS and purposes, are farm-to-
market roads. So that probably the
best thing to do would be to continue
to build that z per cent system, and
then we viii be in . position to reach
out and take In other roads, to add to
the roads we now have in the per
cent system. We are heartily in favor
Of an increase in Federal aid and hope
the legislation will be speedily enacted
and the money made available"
Again, as a. matter of keeping the
highway legislative record straight for
motorists, who are paying millions OF
dollars in motor license fees and gaso-
line taxes to get more roads, the two
great farm organizations which have
thus expressed themselves in favor of
the present policies of State highway
officials, in cooperation with the Fed
eral Government, have again set their
seal OF approval upon the general pro-
gram as adopted in 1921.
It Is uncomfortable that road building
will stop short Of its ultimate goal-the
farmers gate-but, in the interest OF
economy. it should be heartening to
taxpayers to know that no experiment.
ing Il going to be done at this late
day on how best to get to that gate.
The specifications for highway progress
have been written, and they are being
followed to the letter.