THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Congress should create a federal highways commission, inde-
pendent of present departments of the government, composed of
members from the different geographical sections of the country, to
perform all executive functions of the federal government pertaining
to highways, including those relating to existing appropriations in
aid of state construction. Such a commission should act in coordi-
nation with any federal agency that may have functions of articu-
lating rail, trolley, water and highway transportation.
Congress should make substantial appropriations for the con-
struction and maintenance of a national highways system to serve
the need for the maintenance of interstate travel and traffic.
The commission should report to Congress a plan for continued
aid for state construction of highways in the period beyond 1921,
to which time the provisions of existing federal-aid laws extend.
Expenditures of funds should be permitted only for highways
which are of a permanent type, having thorough drainage, substan-
tial foundations, sufficient width, and a capacity for traffic which
will be reasonably adequate for future needs. (Resolution, Seventh
Annual Meeting, 1919.)
PrincIpLES FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION
The importance of improved highways has already had recogni-
tion by the Chamber, and the highway development in the country
has attracted wide attention. In order that funds now to be spent
for highway construction may adequately serve the economic pur-
poses which are becoming clearly recognized, the following funda-
mental principles should govern:
Bonds should be issued by states, territories, counties, or munici-
palities, and Federal assistance furnished, only for portions of high-
way construction which are reasonably enduring and permanent in
character.
Federal appropriations should be made only for assistance to
state and territorial highways which will become a part of an inter-
state system.
Federal assistance should be continued only to those states and
territories which adequately maintain highways for which there has
been Federal aid.
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