Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-30
STATES ACT TO AID
NATIONAL STABILITY
First Industrial Surveys At
tempted Since War Times
to Be Started.

Industrial surveys by the various
State governments. something which
has not been attempted since war times,
now will be begun in an effort to stin1u-
late construction as part OF the ma
tion-wide program initiated by Presi-
dent Hoover.
Messages from the various governors
TO the Federal Government indicate
that the primary interest of the States
in so far as construction is concerned
relates to road-building, public schools,
hospitale and other State institutions.
The governors recommend for the
most part that the Federal Govern
ment enter into an enlarged program
of road construction and it Is argued,
for instance, by the governor OF Kan
saS that the tax reduction proposed by
the Federal Government might well be
eliminated and in its place the money
spent to build roads. He argues that
$3.50. 600. 900 of tax reduction would go
largely to the great financial and in
tustrial centers while the increase in
local taxation incident to public con-
struction would be spread to include
sections already distressed and bear
Upcn property IN these sections already
staggering under the load of taxation
Survey Committee Named.
The Kansas governor has appointed a
committee of four to make survey
of local conditions and has pledged full
cooperation with the national govern
ment.
South Carolina is already taking
steps to improve highways as well as
the paving of streets in counties and
towns, having received the necessary
appropriation from the last LEGISLATURE,
In fact, very few of The legislatures are
meeting this year, so that the Presi-
dents efforts to stimulate construction
on the part of States will have to be
confined to those commonwealths
where appropriations already have been
authorized but where the work has been
postponed or delayed because of the
unfavorable money markets in which to
float municipal or State bonds.
With money rates coming down
fspioly it is confidently expected that
the bond market for municipal and
State issues will have materially i'm
proved by the first of the year, thus
making it possible for contracts TO be
let in the Winter time and work begun
In the early Spring.
The effort of the national Govern
ment is to get as many things started In
construction in January and February
as possible. the idea being that those
two months may see the peak OF unem-
ployment on the part of unskilled
labor.
Act to Accelerate Projects.
Many of tbs governors are making
surveys through the mayors of cities In
the hope that projects which come
under municipal authority may be ac-
tolerated. Road-building costs fall on
the States and the Federal Government
Jointly so that drive in the forthcom-
ing session of Congress for increased
appropriations on the national highway
plan is very likely to be made. Incl
dentally the motor industry, which mas
been the principal proponent OF new
highways. will be benefited by the 1880
construction It is estimated that the
total amount of paved roads In the
United States is small fraction OF the
total system of road communication ana
that the development OF alternative
routes to divert traffic has only been
undertaken so far on limited scale.
During the next few weeks the wishes
Of the several State governments for IN
creased road-building will occupy the
attention of Congress. In fact, while
there are many controversial subjects
coming up in the December session, the
members who have been home during
the short recess are expected to come
back to Washington ready to push forth
the necessary legislation and the max
ing Of new appropriations for public
works, something which has been post
poned for years through the economy
programs which have been IN effect
ever since the war.
(Copyright 1927