The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-28
GOOD ROADS FORM NEIGHBOR-
LY LINK
BY Lucy Meacham Thurston

Many motorists have been explor-
ing newly finished hard-surfaced
roads this summer, as we'll as going
again over well-known and often be-
loved byways. Those who for years
have found their greatest pleasure in
motoring, who perhaps loved car
riage days also and INDUCED in
horseback riding, have seen with
stonishment--thou Jastonishment
should not be felt, only a recogni-
ton of prgoress-the tremendous
changes made in daily living by good
roads. A trip recently made by a
motorist in an hour and half COW
cred a route which not so very long
ago took exactly an entire day.
True ferry service across river, in
stead of the present bridge, took
part of that longer time over the
same distance. But for the motor
lst that demonstration was the most
complete yet received.
Back now are coming the motor
lists, from New England, from the
midwest, from the south; some from
making even the coast to coast run.
he wonder is as to the most effec-
i've link from neighborhood to
neighborhood, state to state, even
country to country when only a
boundary line is to be crossed.
Not so long ago this link was
thought to be railways; before tina!
the steamboat was hailed; now the
lirway route has, of course, the ma
jor call The Pan-American Air
ways stand out in usefulness and
significance; railway communication
from tip to tip of the American con-
tinent was, and is, much heralded.
But now comes a word as to good
roads and motor possibilities from
his same tip to- tip, and that means
loser neighborliness. 1t means
topping along the way. 1t means
getting acquainted. 1t is another OF
he binding links between peoples
md countries, and perhaps it will
Jrove the most effective.
What has been done by the United
jtates and by Canada for intercom-
nunication from state to state ond
country to country is we'll known.
]ut here is what Mexico is concen-
trating upon: highway from the
United States to Guatemala. Guate-
mala and Ell Salvador already have
excellent pieces of highway and are
planning in accord with this Inter
American Highway routing. Costa
llica has As miles completed and is
.rying to raise the $11, 100000 need
ed for completion across her area.
Nicaragua is looking to meeting its
cost of $14,314,00O while Honduras
will repair IS miles across its terri
tory as that country's share of con-
struction.
Surveys in the countries of South
America are being made, but not ye'
completed figures unknown, with the
exception of a statement from Ar
gentine. That is to the effect that
by 1947 her links or roads will be
completed.
For surveying the entire route
the United States Bureau of Public
Roads has just completed what
might be called a pre-series of inter
American reconnaissance surveys
and has been granted an additional
appropriation of $4,000 for con
tinuing it's work and locating fea
sible routes, with estimates of cost
This is being done as part of the
good neighbor work of the United
States, and the result of the ulti
mate completion of the Inter-Amer,
lean Highway will certainly be 6
strong factor in bringing the coun
tries closer together in friendly re
lations.