Evening star., 1938-02-20

ShOrter routes linking together in11
National Capital. Still Others COZ
1Uritten into ldD, but 1Uorked out I
poSdlS PROBABLY 1UtI be advanced be-
by the agency or disposed Of later and
the proceeds applied to amortizing the
road program.
There is diversity of opinion in Con-
gress. however, as to the exact form the
legislation should take and how the pro-
gram should proceed Among others who
have introduced new bills recently are
Representative Snyder, Democrat, Of Penn
sylvania, Representative Keller, Democra.,
Of Illinois. Representative Seagall, Demo-
crat, Of Alabama and Senator j. Hamilton
Lewis, Democrat, Of Illinois Representa-
tive Randolph. Democrat, of West Virginia
introduced two resolutions last year deal
ing with the subject.
Lonergan Plans Bill.
Still another bill will be introduced soon
by Senator Lonergan, Democrat, Of Con-
nectlcut who began studying the ques-
ton last Fall in consultation with the
United States Bureau of Public Roads
The Connecticut Senator describes as
dream" the plans OF those who suggest
immediate launching Of Nation wide SUI
perhighway program.
His thought Is to concentrate first on
the construction Of ton BY passes to take
trafnc around big cities on existing high
ways, and by eliminating grade crossings.
"At present there is definite indication
that directional highway from Boston
to Washington, absorbing the Merritt
Parkway in Connecticut, avoiding New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and
absorbing parts of Route No. l, with tolls
applicable only to certain units, would be
economically justified" said Senator Loner-
gan. But when We consider the traffic
load west of Chicago. it is certain that, at
present, the main highways are sufficient
to carry the load OF tra1fic without con-
gestion. except at cities. Toll by-passes
could be erected at those points as a
start, such units, however. to be installed
only on those roads conforming to q
straight-line directional route in the trans
continental plan."
Says Cost Too High.
Senator Lonergan believes the cost of
obtaining rights of way would absorb too
much OF the total outlay on any project
at present to undertake superhighways
without utilizing parts of the regular public
roads system. He has suggested that after
q planning agency has mapped out the
directional lines of . transcontinental sys-
tenn q method could be devised to have
States grant rights of way. or be required
relief funds, to roads connecting up with
the special highway system.
The bill of Mr.. Snyder Of Pennsylvania
defines in detail the routes of nine cross
country highways three east-west and six
north-south. It allows Is years for the
program, and places the estimated cost at
$4,000, 900. As introduced on February
8, it makes no definite provision for tolls.
1t also would give unemployed men between
the ages of SO and 65 preference for EN-.
ployment on the highway construction.
Mr.. Keller of Illinois, in his bill, plans
"a shorter routes covering every section of
the Nation. Several Of them either would
UO.
In fact, the National Capital, the various
State capitals and other important cities
are the main objectives toward which the
"a routes are laid out. This plan contem.
plates a Government bond issue. with not
more than $1,000 000, 900 outstanding at
one time. It differs from the toll plans.
however, by authorizing the Government
10 AAk
than s. from each passenger car and not
less than SO year from each commercial
vehicle using these roads, to help meet the
cost.
Federal Recovery Authority.
The steagall bill in the House follows
the same general principles of the Bulkley
measure in the Senate, except that the new
agency would be known as the Federal Re-
covery Authority, and the Reconstruction
Finance Corp. would be authorized to SUBJ
scribe to the capital stock Of the Authority
up to 100000, 900. The Authority could
issue $4,000 ,000, 900 Of bonds year for four
years The highways would be self -hquidat-
ing through tolls and the excess condemna-
ton feature of acquiring and reselling land
adjacent to the new highways
Three Of the House bills have been re-
ferred to three different committees-the
Steagall measure to Banking and Currency.
the Keller bill to Ways and Means and the
Snyder proposal to Public Roads It il
not certain which will receive earliest con-
lideration. f
AZ Legislation merely outing the scope q
ths program and leaving the se,sction Of