346 AGRICULTUR-\L APPROPRIATION BILJ., 1924. 



The carrying on of extensive and detailed studies of the present and 

 possible uses of the highways, and the accumulation of essential 

 economic data must be considered a necessary and vital part of the 

 activities of the bureau. 



It is my personal judgment that the major problems now con- 

 fronting us with reference to the highway program are, first, the 

 annual rate at wiiich new construction should be untlertaken. second, 

 the financing of the costs of construction antl maintenance, and the 

 distribution of these costs, and third, the relation which highway 

 transpoitation should occupy and maintain to other forms of 

 transportation. 



SALARIES. 



Mr. Anderson. There is an apparent decrease of $9,840 in youi- 

 statutory roll ( 



Mr. \fAcl)oNALi). That decrease, Mr. Chairman, is due to the dioj)- 

 ping of these places, all but two of which are not now lilled. 



Mr. Anderson. Can vou get along without these employees that 

 have been eliminated without any detriment to the service ( 



Mr. MacDonam). All but two are places which maybe eliminated. 



FOR ROAD MANAOEMENT AND ECONOMIC STUDIES OF HIGHWAY 



CONSTRUCTION. 



Mr. Anderson, ^'our next item appears to be the one on page 253: 



For inquiries in regard to systems of road management and enonomic studies of 

 highway ronstru<"tion, operation, maintenance, and value, either independently or in 

 cooperation with the State highway departnicnt.-i and other ae'-iu-ies. and for gi\ ing 

 e.\pert advice on these subjects, .$()(>, 800. 



Mr. MacDonaf.d. The bureau is asking for no change in that item. 

 Mr. Chairman. We are asking for the same appropi-iation that we 

 hatl during the previous year. Last year we did not use all the fiiiuls, 

 because we have been carrying on the work largely with personnel 

 employed part time by the Universitj^ of Wisconsin. This year we 

 have organized it on a full-time basis and expect t(^ use the entire 

 fund. 



Mr. Andkkson. Will you tell us something about what you ai-e 

 doing and pi-opose to do under this item ? 



Mr. MacDonaf-d. I'nder this item the bui'cau ]ir(»j)(ises to lariy on 

 a study of highway ti'ansportation extended along the same lines we 

 have already begun. For example, in Connecticut we are carrying 

 on a fidl vear's study of the traffic over the hijrhwavs. The plan 

 (jovers the whole State, including the traffic entering and leaving the 

 State, as well as the local tralfic within the State. In detail, it is 

 organized by <listricting the State tributary to certain roads over 

 which Irnlfic passes. Tlicn key stations are estal>lislied in each one 

 <>f these districts, and full data of the traffic units is taken l)y the 

 field counting party. 



Mr. Andf.u.son. "What do you mean by " units'" ( 



Mr. MacDonai.I). I mean' by that, each vehicle, the purpose for 

 which it is Ix'ing used, I lie number of passengers which are being 

 carried, (»r the freight and the character of the freight that is being 

 carried and its destination. 



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