HIGHWAYS 83 



who have expressed themselves to us on this 

 question consider that the federal government is 

 fairly under obligation to aid in the work. 



We hold that the development of a fully 

 serviceable highway system is a matter of na- 

 tional concern, coordinate with the development 

 of waterways and the conservation of our native 

 resources. It is absolutely essential to our 

 internal development. The first thing necessary 

 is to provide expert supervision and direction, 

 and to develop a national plan. All the work 

 should be cooperative between the federal gov- 

 ernment and the states. The question of federal 

 appropriation for highway work in the states may 

 well be held in abeyance until a national service 

 is provided and tested. We suggest that the 

 United States government establish a highway 

 engineering service, or equivalent organization, 

 to be at the call of the states in working out 

 effective and economical highway systems. 



3. SOIL DEPLETION AND ITS EFFECTS. 



A condition calling for serious comment is the 

 lessening productiveness of the land. Our farm- 

 ing has been largely exploitational, consisting of 



