products other than bridging, storage batteries, antifreeze for motor-vehicle radiators, tires and tire chains, and assorted equipment repair parts.
For use in the quick replacement of bridges destroyed by floods, and equally essential as a precaution against possible need in the event of war, it would be desirable to place in storage with the several State highway departments a substantial stock of portable bridge units capable of incorporation in permanent structures.
The foregoing recommendations of stand-by fiscal and stock-piling provisions have the endorsement of the maintenance and equipment committee of the American Association of State Highway Officials.
Repair of damage on local roads
To make these fiscal and stock-piling provisions the more effective for use in civil disaster relief, they should be made applicable to the restoration of damaged roads and bridges of the cities and counties in States which, by appropriate State legislation, establish requisite control of the undertakings by the State highway department. A further useful provision, designed to facilitate the interstate loan of materials, equipment, and equipment operators, would be a Federal guarantee of the repayment of such loans and liabilities incurred for injuries to workmen.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
It is also suggested (1) that highway authorities should be represented through the Public Roads Administration and appropriate State highway departments on boards created to select sites for military and strategic industrial establishments to the extent necessary to assure efficient provision of highway connection, and (2) that adequate representation of highway and highway transport necessities should be provided for in any future establishment of agencies to apportion and ration war-essential materials in short supply.
