Show FEDERAL CONTROL OF ROADS organization formed of representatives of various departments to supervise work from the tha united states department of 0 agriculture all functions of government agencies relating to streets and highways hereafter are to beco be coordinated co la in a body called the united states highways council composed of one representative each from the war department the department of agriculture the united states railroad administration the war industries board and the fuel administration the council was formed primarily to prevent delays financial loss and uncertainty incident to the method of taking up each highway problem in its turn with it a separate and distinct government agency this council was constituted it at the suggestion of the secretary of agriculture through the department it will continue the close contact already established both formally by law and informally by practice with the state highway commission in each state ot of the union membership of the board follows war department col W D uhler fuel administration C G shei field war industries board richard kichard Kic hird L humphrey railroad administration G IV kirtley department of agrical t ture li IV rage page these representatives have selected logan waller page director of the office of public roads department of agriculture as chairman 0 and 11 n d J E renny backer chief 0 of management of that office as secretary the council liti utilizes lizes the organizations of the forty ight eight state highway departments with their trained personnel and their knowledge of local conditions and provides a single agency whore where all highway projects calling for governmental action of any character whether it be a question of finance of materials transportation or of war necessity or desirability may be dealt with the council has provided a def definite f form orin on which applications for foi relief are to be roade th through roligh tile ali respective state highway departments anil and has sent supplies of the forms to tile the departments it emphasizes the great need of conservation of money transportation por vor tation labor and materials by restricting strict ing highway and street work to most essential needs it ricks cenance of existing streets and highways firsa reconstruction of badly damaged streets and highways next and it places last new construction justified only on account of vital war or economic necessity |