Evening star., 1947-08-03

Stunning responsibility for the erec-
ton Of all permanent bridges. and
for the construction Of II miles Of
roadway In mountainous regions OF
southern Costa Rica.
But troubles multiplied. Much
money was spent with progress
slowed by the rainy season, lack Of
adequate local road materials, lack
of shipping space. petty local politi-
cal considerations, and most Of all,
by incessant quarrels over choice
of routes.
The Highway route preferred by
the Public Roads Administration
ran along the Pacific slope Of the
Cordilleras Mountains. The alti-
tude Of most Of this route was high,
reaching 10000 elevation In Guate-
mala and 1000 feet In Costa Rica.
This proposed road would be scenic
and cool, although admittedly haz-
ardous, requiring slow driving.
At the request Of local politicos,
minor changes were made in this
route, the committee found. Mic
aragua and Costa Rica did not want
the highway to run parellel to their
railroads, as they feared competi-
ton with the nationally-owned rail-
roads.
Many. Disputes
The State Department also ap-
proved a detour in the proposed
highway to carry 1t near property at
Jinotega, in Nicaragua, owned by the
former President. This would have
added AZ miles to the length OF the
highway. In El Salvador another
circuitous route was adopted so that
the highway would serve the port of
La Union, adding IA miles to the
over all length. The War Depart
ment engineers promptly eliminated
these circuitous offshoots.
Moreover, the War Department
preferred a lower route along the
Pacific coastal plain rather than the
high mountain highway Wherever
possible they began substituting the
lower arteries for the high ones
favored by the roads administra-
ton. Innumerable disputes began.
with tempers short and progress
shorter. In its report the committee,
while highly critical Of the War De-
partment on other counts, sided with
1t on the route argument.
1.-THE committee believes that the
Congress approved construction on
the Inter-American Highway par
TALLY for defense and partially as an
artery Of international commerce"
it said, mot to provide . scenic
mountainous route for American or
other tourists. nor to serve local,
internal trafflc." |
But of the War Departments con-
duct in general the committee was
highly critical. Execution of the
project by the Army engineers was
unbusinesslike,' 1t said. Excessive
equipment rentals were paid. Rec
ords we're Inadequate. Supervision
of contractors was Intellectual Co
ordination with the United States
Public Roads Administration was
poor. Termination of the project
was ordered belatedly. Liquidation
was slow and expensive"
Work Half Done
The report added that only one.
third Of the work done by the Army
engineers will eventually become a
part of the future Inter- American
Highway. Most Of the Army con-
struction, it said, was on roadway
which the Public Roads Administra-
ton cannot now fit into the main
through" artery.
The State Department also was
scored In the report for failing to
negotiate firm agreements with the
Central American nations providing
for the maintenance of the highway
after its completion and in guarding
against prohibitive restrictions or
regulations which would prevent full
use of the highway. The report
recommended creation of an Inter
national highway commission or
authority to establish multilateral
treaties designed to insure use of the
highway. when completed, as an
international artery of commerce
and as an instrument of hemisphere
defense.
Today, after six years of effort,
said the report, the highway is
scarcely half completed. There are
vast stretches where there is no road
at all and many others have made
quate roads. The project is now
back In the hands of the Public
Roads Administration, which Is
marking time until Congress decides
what it wants to do about it.
Unless there is a further sizable
grant Of United States funds, said
the report, or unless some further
joint program for financial support
by all of the Central America repub-
lies is developed, the Inter American
Highway will not be built "for many
years to come" And until this vital
part of the Pan-American Highway
is reality, motorists must content
themselves with merely dreaming Of
spinning down to Panama City in
their automobiles and on to Rio.
CBy Special Advancement With the st.
Louis Post -Dtspatch.}
| Ne1UtOn
Continued From Page C-I.)