Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-19
FINANCING STUDIED
BY ROAD CONGRESS
w. A. Van DuZer Sums Up
Principal Topics at Recent
Farley Held Here.

Low cost roads and road financing
were the topics of chief interest in the
sixth international Road Congress and
Exposition Of Highway Equipment and
Materials, which has Just ended here,
In the opinion Of w. A. Van Duzer,
president Of the American Road Build
eTS' Association.
Van Duzer, who Is assistant chief
engineer Of the Pennsylvania Depart
ment Of Highways, attended all the
business and social activities Of the
worldwide gathering Of road builders
In his capacity as q member of the
the Permanent International Associa-
ton Of Road Congresses Of Paris,
France, and as an ofncial delegate Of
the United States to the sixth congress-
Noted Unity Of Thought.
He regarded Of particular significance
the fact that o6lcial delegates from 81
nations assembled here seemed to have
Q unity of thought on the subject Of
acquiring more road mileage as rapidly
as possible.
The congress sessions were held in
two sections, one dealing with the
engineering problems Of construction
and maintenance Of roads, the other
tration. The exposition was staged by
the American Road Builders Associa-
ton. Exhibits Of manufacturers and
producers Of petroleum products, grad
ers, stone crushers, and other materials
and equipment for low-coSt surfaces,
and model roads featuring stage con-
struction, gave especial accent to the
low cost studies.
Other machinery and materials on
display were designed for use in the
highest types Of paving, in which Amer
lean manufacturers and engineers have
made such outstanding progress. There
also were exhibits Of traffic signals and
signs and other equipment for highway
maintenance and operation.
In discussing road problems infor-
mally with many delegates, as well as
the formal discussions in congress ses-
sions," Van Duzer says, 1.-The general
opinion seemed to be that engineering
research on road construction and
maintenance has been of inestimable
value to the highway field. While the
United States leads in this work, many
other nations are doing, and viii con-
tinue to do. splendid research work.
Says Standardization Needed.
'Tranic, which is engaging the at
tention Of the entire world with its
complicated problems which have arisen
suddenly in recent years, came in for
much attention, with the general con-
cluSion that the thing most needed in
that phase Of highway operation Is
greater international Standardization Of
methods Of traffic control.
However, highway use does not be-
come problem until highways are
built; engineering depends on the type
of road to be constructed; this in turn
depends on the finances available. It
Is taken for granted that any highway
agency which is intrusted with public
funds will build the best possible roads
Of the type justified by the present and
anticipated trafic situation, and to the
ultimate completion Of both primary
and secondary systems.
1.-THE road congress went on record
that because of the investment char
acter Of improved highways, bond Suues
or other methods Of borrowing for high
way construction and improvement are
desirable in most countries; that the
period of amortization Of loans for
highway construction should not exceed
the life Of the improvement; that when
the needs for expedited highway con-
Struction and improvement have been
met, the use Of bond issues should be
discontinued and the pay-as-you-go
basis followed.
Declares Visitors Amazed.
"Our international visitors were amazed
10 learn Of the $3.50, 100000 motor taxes
which flowed into our State treasures
In 1929 TO swell the highway fund. No
other nation has such possibilities OF
annual revenue, therefore they must
make the dollars go to the utmost limit
In providing roads for motor trafhc,
which will result in q similar tax in
come.
THE delegation from Colombia an
nounced to the congress that 1t was
seeking the aid of American firms who
would finance and build their road sysS
TENS, with the government paying Tor
them in installments from trafic In
come. Most Of Latin America desires
similar aid. European delegates told OF
fairly sound sources for the highway
budget, but funds are limited there,
also, and they must get great mileage
Of construction for limited cost.
The manufacturers in the equipment
and materials exposition were awake 70
these needs Of foreign nations, and dis
played for the congress delegates the
most modern of our developments along
this line. The delegates viii undoubted-
ly return to their highway work around
the world with renewed optimism Tor
the day when their completed road pro-
grams WIN be reality"
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