Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 February 1919 — FOR BETTER ROADS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR BETTER ROADS

URGES RESUMING ROAD WORK

President Favors Earliest Possible Resumption of Highway Construction—His Letter. (Prepared by United States Department of Agriculture.) President Wilson favors the earliest possible resumption and extension of highway construction under the federal aid road act and has written Secretary of Agriculture Houston to that effect. • The secretary of war also has written the secretary of agriculture In favor of highway work. The president s letter follows: "Dear Mr. Secretary: "1 heartily agree with you that it would be fn the public interest to resume In full measure the highway construction operations under the federal aid road act, and to do so as speedily as possible. I understand the necessity which existed for their contraction during the stress through which we hate been passing, but that obstacle is now removed. I believe that it would be highly desirable to have an additional appropriation made available to the department of agriculture, to be used In conjunction, if possible, with any surplus state and community funds, in order that these operations may be extended. It ,1s important not only to develop good highways throughout the country as quickly as possible, but it Is also at this time especially advisable to resume and extend all such essential public works, with a view to furnishing employment for laborers who may be seeking new tasks during the period of readjustment. Knowing that the department of hgriculture and the state highway authorities in each state have been carefully working out road systems and developing plans and specifications, I have no doubt that al) activities in this field can be vigorously conducted through these two sets of existing agencies, acting in full accord. “Faithfully yours, "WOODROW WILSON.” The following letter has been received from Secretary of War Baker: “My Dear Mr. Secretary: "I am in full agreement with your view that there should not only be a prompt resumption of roud construction under the federal aid road act, and under such further authority as may exist for separate state action, but also that additional funds should be made available to your department for

the extension of such work. The war department, as you know, detailed one of Its officers to serve your bureau of public roads in Its consideration of highways which might have a value for military purposes, and I shall be glad to have the closest possible cooperation continue as the work enlarges. .“Cordially yours, “NEWTON D. BAKER, “Secretary of War.”

Coralline Rock Road Near West Palm Beach, Fla.