The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-05-25
Michigan in
Washington
By Esther Van Wagner Tufty

ey Esther Van Wagner Tufty
G. Donald Kennedy. former state
highway commissioner and one OF
the fve men appointed by the
President TO formulate postwar
interregioual highway planning. is
about TO issue a report that will be
blueprint Of the roads OF the fu.
ture.
In the research, Mr. Kennedy has
unearthed some llttle-known facts
about highway travel. Here are
some OF them:
l. War proved automobiles in
the United States are a necessity,
not a luxury-70 per cent OF auto
mobile trips are for necessity pur-
pose even in the pre-war period.
2. There are IS cars TO the mile
on city streets.
3. Two.thirds OF automobile
trips are for distances less than
10 miles.
4. A Michigan survey OF war
plants revealed three quarters OF
all workers. and two.thirds OF all
materials, entered and left the fac.
tory by car or truck.
s. Future highways will revise
the patterns of cities.
6. II skyscrapers get in the way,
the highways will go right through
them, predicts Mr.. Kennedy, adding
the day OF skyscrapers is past.
They were never more than 80 per
cent occupied.
Z. Cities already exploded" out.
ward from city to surrounding coun-
tryside will explode more with the
advent OF low.priced airplanes.
CThe airplane." declares Kennedy,
will finish the job the automo.
bile started.")
s. Super highways will not drain
the public purse. Motor transpor.
tation pays for itself through taxes
from license sales, gasoline, and
special fees.
9 The super highways will
make more cities like New York
where one can drive nearly 200
miles in and around the city with.
out seeing a traffic light or being
delayed by cross traffic.
10. Postwar highway construc-
ton will insure employment for re.
turning soldiers.
Mr.. Kennedy is now vice presi-
dent OF the Automotive Safety
Foundation. The kennedys and
their children (the fourth born
since their arrival in the Capital
and named Pat for the former
Michigan governor. Murray d.
CPat") Van Wagoner) have pur.
chased a lovely colonial home in
the rolling Maryland countryside
in nearby Washington,
Train and bus passengers be.
tween Detroit. Grand Rapids. and
Saginaw will be asked questions
on how the war has affected their
travel habits starting today and
continuing through Thursday.
This survey, conducted by the
ONCE of Defense Transportation
will be made in 80 other major
cities besides the Michigan
centers. Census representatives
working with ODT, will interview
passengers on how and why their
travelling habits have changed
since the war. The passengers will
not be asked to give their names
or other identifying information.
Two Detroit executives have
been named by the War Production
Board to posts on industry advis.
DRY committees.
John w. Batten, vice president,
Michigan Consolidated Gas Com
pany, will serve on the Natural
Gas Committee. L. K. Lindhal,
president, has been chosen for the
cammium industry group.
As predicted. Congressman Fred
l.. Crawford, Saginaw, did not go
along" with the Republicans and
vote for the Ruml plan. Neither
is the Saginaw Republican apt to 60
along with any conference report
that permits wholesale forgiveness
Congressman Fred Bradley. oil
Rogers City, won the admiration Of
fellow congressman who had the
desire, but not the daring. 10 crash
the International Food Conference
in Hot Springs, Virginia.
Bradley returned to the Capito
to make a brief report on his en-
trance through the "closed doors
OF the Homestead Hotel where dele
gates from the United Nations are
making war and postwar fooc
plans. AS Bradley walked back or
the floor OF the House, Congress
man Francis Case, OF South Dako
ia. sprang TO his feet and asked the
| Speaker to recognize the Michigan
congressman and allow him TO re
\ port.
H Bradley's play-by-play story OF the
visit lasted approximately five
minutes. He pointed out that "Both
Judge Marvin Jones, chairman Of
the historic conference, and Mr.
Michael J. McDermott. Of the STATE
Department, are hopeful that some
method can be worked out 10 better
the press relations with this confer