Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
HIGHWAY PROGRAM
BEGUN IN BALKANS
Assistant Secretary of Com
merce Reports Large Ap-
preparations.
BY DIR. JULIUS KLEIN,

One of the outstanding impressions
which one gains through the awaken
ING lands of the Balkans and the NeaI
East is that the various countries in
those areas have become definitely
'hishway conscious" The reflection Of
this national sentiment is evident In
che numerous modern motor roads
which have been built in recent years
and the increased appropriations which
have been made for highway construc-
ton and extension.
Jugoslavia Program.
Jugoslavia now has a $13,000,OOO pro-
gram under way. Belgrade, its beauti-
1ul and historic capital, boasts modern
streets today striking contrast tc
the situation only three years ago. when
all roads were either dirt or paved with
cobbles Turkey has initiated studies
preparatory to comprehensive pro-
gram which will cover some 5000 miles
of modern motor roads. Bulgaria, not
withstanding the fact that it, with the
rest of the world, is feeling the effect
Of economic depression, has doubled It's
highway budget for the present year, an
indication that In that country high
way extension Is linked with economic
development. Hungary and Austria
have an excellent international modern
highway which connects the capitals Of
The two countries. The siX-year road
building program inaugurated by Greece
IN 1928 calls for q total expenditure OF
k30,o00,c00.
Aids Rural Population.
What this improved highway COM
h1unication means to these countries
can be appreciated from the fact that
fully 80 per cent of their population is
rural. The roads already constructed
and those about to be built should In
the next few years give many hereto
rect and inexpensive access to the larger
cities and markets in their own coun-
tries and also bring to them the ideas,
modes of living and manufactures of
the outside world.
Naturally, with the advent of good
roads, the automobile is coming more
and more in use and the United States
continues to supply a large share Of the
automotive imports.
Encouraging Development.
Another very encouraging develop
ment which I observed in the. Balkans
and the Near East was the general i'm
provement in dealer representation. Ex-
cellent progress has been made by some
firms in the selection OF their dealers
and representatives, many of whom are
either American born or have lived in
the United States. Their personal &C
quaintance with American methods in
industry gives them particular advan-
tage In adapting these methods to con-
form with the local needs and local re-
quirements. Business in the past in this
part Of the world has been hampered to
q degree by lack of proper and adequate
representation. and, more specifically, by
the lack of knowledge on the part of
foreign representatives or dealers of the
Industrial development in the United
States generally and of their own prin-
cipals in particular This handicap,
am glad to say, is now being overcome
to very encouraging degree.
There can be no doubt that these two
developments, namely, increased high
way construction and improved dealer
presentation-augur well for our au-
tomotive trade with the Balkans and
the Near East during 1881 and 1882.