Milford chronicle., 1939-08-18
NOT ENOUGH GOOD ROADS

Roads are not used too much.
they're used too little. There's not
enough of them. They're not good
enough-not safe enough, They
don't keep pace with automotive out
putt"
Americas 30.00O.OOO highway users
who pay Or-transportation taxes
for the good and safe roads that they
do not get when highway funds are
misused for nOn-highway purposes
will find this statement of especial
significance. 1t was voiced by John
Michael CarmOdy. first administrator
of the newly created Federal Works
Agency, which has Jurisdiction over
the Public Roads Administration
Administrator Carmody discussed
our highway needs and his plans in
an exclusive interview with Robert
q. Harper, director of public rela-
tiOns for the American Road Build
ers Association. Washington. ID. C..
Il know that tourism is fast be-
coming one of this cOuntry's top
flight industries" he declared. 1T is
already number one in several states.
| am glad that this condition exists.
People live only once and see no
reason why all of them. youngsters
and oldsters alike. should not be-
come better acquainted with the
greener pastures beyond the hOri-
IONS of their own surroundings. Our
4S states abound with points of ma
tural beauty and historic interest.
Good roads, properly maintained.
make these scenic attractions access
ible to all our citizens.
Il believe that safe highways can
be provided for the comfortable. CON
venient and safe use of the ever-in- |
creasing legions of highway users by |
applying the principle of modern en-
I'm for obtaining rights !.
of-way on a much larger scale. I'm {
for extensive roadside development /
and highway Identification. I'm for ,
space annihilatiOu with safety on our /
highways. The main reason why peo-
pie use planes is to save time in ,
travel. Highways must eventually
provide the same facility"
Before assuming his new post. Mr..
CarmOdy was for two years admins
.rator of the Rural Eloctrification
Administration. In this job. he point
I'd out. the chief deterrent to the
progress of our schedule to string
30 many miles of line a day was the
ack of passable roads in rural areas.
We must not lose sight of the fact
hat. in addition to the improvement
" our major highways. we still have
he problem nour hands of lifting
ural America out the mud"
Emphasizing the value of roads
q an unemployment cure, he de-
Jared. Tine construction of new
highways will put thousands of our
back to work on the
1ost worth while of public projects.
he employment of these workers
'ill create additional demands for
lbor and will provide the incentive
Dr. outside agencies to invest addi-
ional funds. New highway con- ,
truction will put more men to work,
a more places. faster and. with
reater returns for the worker and !
ixpayer for each dollar spent than
ny other public enterprise.
AS TO the new endeaVor that lies
list ahead. ii is not my plan to set !
p at the top one iota of duplication /,
the wor kthat is already being
lrried on by the various Federal
'ork sAdministratio nagencies. II !,
rather my desire to work through /
nd with all existing agencies and to .
rive to retain within them all ac- !.
vities that are at present giving a
ltisfaction and that are being hand !
d efficiently. With respect to roads,
e shall endeavOr to mIintain the .
me high standards that made the E
lreau of Public Roads such a sue u
ssful arm of the federal govern
ent. | have been impressed by the fC
'lendid research and laboratory =
Ork that is being carried on by the -
lreau personnel under the efficient .
rection of Thomas II. Macdonald. q
his will, of course. be continued. Vi
e shall continue to search for bet =
r materials and methods with a =,
stless determination and the re- ID
Its of our research will be put to n
Iblic use to the best possible ad- =
ntage within our allotted appropri- SC
ions. 81
far as industry is concerned. =
; shall make every effort to ac-
aint all phases of industry depend p
2 on road building for livelihood n
tn our plans as far in advance as =
n be determined"