Evening star., 1932-10-09

steel. All in all. it's dangerous situ-
alton. Only one thing will correct it.
That is traffic light, to give traffic on
Twenty-ninth street equal rights with
traffic on K street.
Important Events.
Two important traffic events occurred
last week. The Safety Council Con-
vention here was largely attended
Many interesting discussions were held.
It is to be hoped that as a result plans
for aiding in cutting down the huge ia
tality tolls throughout the Nation will
be formulated The safety workers have
been doing their part up to date and
their efforts should be encouraged.
1t has been proposed that the Dis
trict of Columbia follow the footsteps of
Maryland and join in the save-a-life
campaign. 1t calls for a thorough in
spection of all motor cars in regard to
their brakes, steering wheels and head
lights. Virginia, 1t Is understood, will
also inaugurate such plan. 1t Is most
wise.
The temporary dusty trail leading to
Arlington National Cemetery from the
Arlington Bridge Is soon to give way, 1t
Is understood, to a modern, hard-sur-
faced pavement so feet wide. Washing
ton. noted for its artistic use of con-
crete, is taking particular pains to make
the newly paved Memorial avenue a
thing Of beauty. The concrete pavement
surface will have color, coming from
exposed Potomac River pebbles. The
Euft to reddish bits of stone will fash
their color just as they Go in many of
the sldeWa ks and park structures in
Washington.
Completion Work Rushed.
One of the worlds most amazing. vet
Practical. highway structures Is being
rushed to completion between Jersey
City and Newark It is the elevated
super highway leading to the entrance
way Of the Holland Tunnel which con-
meets New Jersey with Manhattan
Island. Skipping across three miles of
Jersey meadows, the giant structure will
permit the covering of distances in five
minutes which now requires anywhere
from 20 minutes upward, depending on
how often bridges go up and the dis
position Of traffic lights.
The concrete travelWay, suspended
from 100 to $50 feet in the air, crosses
the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers,
railroad tracks and yards, and high
ways. 1t will greatly reduce the tedium
OF getting in and out of the congested
New York area. Eighteen million cars
specially designed concrete pavement on
the viaduct.
Illinois, recognized as the worlds
leading road builder. has only 869 more
miles to build in order to have her State
system of some 10000 miles completely
paved. according to Frank T. Sheets,
chief highway engineer. Yet, Mr. Sheets
points out that the completion of this
paving still leaves the Illinois road lob
far from being finished Among the
many projects demanded by Illinois
motor conditions are resurfacing, recon-
struction, widening of streets and high
ways on the State system. building of
III railroad grade separations, 40 high
way grade separations. and large
brldges. These tasks require that every
nickel OF road earning, expressed in
license fee and gas tax incomes, must
be devoted solely to highways.
Highway authorities point out that
since Illinois, the State best equipped
for motor travel, still has so much to do,
other States also are not justified in the
use OF road earnings for any purpose un-
related to roads.
Greatest Employer.
When the business let-down first be-
gan. highway authorities declared that
road construction should continue at
an even faster pace because of the wide
spread employment it gave. The wis
dom of the Nations road builders is
now plainly evident for road construc-
ton has become probably the greatest
employer of men, to the benefit of
public in need of safer and cheaper
travel
William Robinett, Ohio State director
of employment. recently asserted that
highway construction provided more
work than any other Ohio industry.
Frank T. Sheets, chief highway engi-
neer Of Illinois. tells his State that the
contemplated expenditure of s60,00O.-
600 for roads in the remainder of 1882
and in 1888 will give labor $4,000, 600.
This will provide jobs for the equiva-
lent of 1900 men for 200 days.
Diversion of road money for purposes
unrelated to roads is held by highway
builders to be one sure way of lessening
and lengthening the stay
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