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Show iBSi ' w GOOD ROADS NATIONAL ISSUE Conoressman Borland of Missouri Sss It Is One of Biggest Qucs-tlons Qucs-tlons Facing People. Of Ihe addresses given at the recent Federal Aid convention In Washington, called by the National Good Itoads beard, none contained a more comprehensive- summing up of the situation than the remarks of Representative William P. Holland of Missouri, who, among other thlnss, said: "I billwve that the good road question ques-tion Is the biggest question, without exeeptlon. now facing the American people. In congress, we are trying earnestly and sincerely to. deal with this problem of the extent and char acter of federal control and federal aid to good roads. There ere difficulties difficul-ties confronting us. "Rome of us believe in a continuous system of roads; roads that go some-wheie; some-wheie; roads that give us the benefit of the scientific progress of engineering engineer-ing skill that has been developed UT connection with road building. We believe be-lieve that federal aid. If It comes at all and It must come must mean a better type of roads, long roads, roads of higher class, roads of a more per manent character, roads that go somewhere, some-where, roads that mean something In the development of the country. "I want to say to you frankly, that the easiest proposition to get through any legislative body Is not a proposition proposi-tion that really means betterment; but a proposition that distributes Its little Advantages as widely a possible. II we could take little federal money or a good deal of federal money, or as much federal money aa we could lay our hands on. whatever the amount might be, and spread It out over every road district In the United Slates, and put It in the hands of the existing rond overseers for the existing system of roads, and not ask anything in return, re-turn, we could get the greatest applause ap-plause and the most tremendoui unanimity of opinion back of It that any legislative proposition could pos sibiy get. There Is no doubt about that "Hut here Is the Idea that must occul to every thinking man. We do noi have to Improve the 2.150.000 miles ol highways In tbe United States. Thai need not stagger any man s Imaglna Hon. Experience baa shown at th very threshold of this subject, that 8( per cent, of the trafflc on roads goei over less than ten per cent of thi roads. If we had a system of gooc roads leading fairly Into every aectloi of the country, within the reasonabh ; reatb of the majority of the cltlxens i and producers and tax payers of tni j country, that system would be a vas . advantage over the present system o 1 Isolated local control of highways. "If we can bring that about by i spirit of self sacrifice and co-operation not necessarily with any stubborn ness or pride of opinion but If we cai , get together on t,he idea that It Is bel ter to have sojr.e good roads than It I Is to have no good roada. then we wtl ail get behind some proposition an accomplish something for good roads and It Is going to take that spirit a cooperation and Belt sacrifice to brln ; about legislation.'' |
