Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-11
OADBUILDING PROGRAM SEEN
a.. OPPORTUNITY FOR ENGINEERS
Increased Demand for Automobiles Makes
Improved Hie hways Imperative
Throughout World.

every case where applied to State, city
or county units the returns have been
immediate and gratifying, and have
entirely justified the method.
Gas taxes amounting to $3.50, 1000, 900
and motor vehicle taxes in the amount
OF 1925 900 900 have been applied an
nually to develop great sums which
should be, and IN most cases are, i'm
mediately made available for extension
Of the field OF motor vehicle use.
Factors Are Varied.
Participating factors in the great
highway industry are many and varied.
The numbers OF manufacturers of
highway machinery and equipment have
grown into the hundreds, which has
developed healthy competition. Each
manufacturer is striving to bring new
and improved products into the field.
Great research departments are at work
year after year to bring forth Speedier
equipment which will build more roads,
In less time and at greatly lessened
cost.
New methods of surfacing and new
products for road surfaces are being
studied out in laboratories and after
careful and comprehensive tests, placed
on the market.
Annually, the leading manufacturers
hold an exhibition Of machinery and
materials, known as the Road Show"
which is sponsored by the American
Road Builders Association. This or
snization, made up OF members from
all branches of the industry, spends
Its energies in q vast program of re-
search and education, with the annual
exposition supplemental to the conven-
ton Of members to hear the reports of
the years work OF its so or more re-
nala NH
made from study, OF present practices
with recommendations for improvement
and progress.
Alert for Suggestions.
The engineering and sales depart
mentS of the manufacturing establish
mentS are even o nthe alert for sug-
gestions from the contractors, who have
the actual building operations in hand,
and fran the State, city and county
officials, under whose supervision the
road programs are carried out.
The modern contractor has a much
more difficult task to meet with the
high-clasS specifications which are
part of road construction bids. He must
needs have an efficient establishment
with the best of machinery, highly
trained engineers and, probably of most
Importance, he must be thoroughly re-
liable.
The Official road building department
OF the State or city, in most cases,
consists OF well paid specially trained
men, who make engineering their pro-
fession. and whose chief aim is thought
to be service to the people in discharg-
Ing the public trust. This holds true in
many counties. but there is much
chance for development In most coun-
ties.
T., i+s x,a,;o,,e ,l;,isioo, +l,o A.~,o.;oo,,
Road Builders Association serves the
entire field. Its pan-American di
vision has been potent force in awak-
ening Latin America to an extent
where Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil,
Colombia and other nations are in the
ranks Of the first 10 foreign nations
as purchasers Of highway machinery
from the United States.
Aid offered Gratis.
To all Of Latin America, and through
It's European division, to all Of Europe
and the Orient, the association offers
without charge its knowledge Of financ-
ing and engineering which has in prac-
tice here made the United States the
first nation in the world in road build
ing.
Its research has been availed of and
its publications eagerly read and APP
In the foreign field have grown in i'm
portance yearly, almost daily.
During 1929 the association made
studies in behalf Of its city and county
highway oticials' division on such sub
jects as:
Highway financing and legislation.
Regional surveys and plans.
Administration.
Organization.
Equipment: Purchase, depreciation
and Standardization.
Location.
Design and construction.
Grading methods and equipment.
SubgradeS and pavement bases.
Drainage.
Surfacing and resurfacing.
Maintenance.
Traffic-grade crossings.
Snow removal.
Street cleaning.
Municipal airports.
OF particular interest to contractors
were the researches in the field of liens
In public construction and Of prequali-
fication OF bidders.
Will Expand Research.
New projects for study and research
will be added to the 1880 program Of
this organization. The reports are pre-
pared through studies OF the various
committee members. each noted for his
work in the specialized field, co-ordi-
mated through contacts of n paid engi-
investigator who Is devoting his
time to the particular work Of his CON-
mittee.
Many other organizations In the
highway field are making noteworthy
progress In hettering the conditions Of
their particular branch The producers
Of eonersts. aaphalk brick. ernahad