Speeches delivered by Pat M. Neff, Governor of Texas, discussing certain phases of contemplated legislation Page: 16 of 61
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-1Geconomic
benefits. The improvement and development of public highways
is so closely interwoven with every aspect of community life that
an accurate measure of the advantages and benefits of good roads is
impossible. No one questions the wisdom of constructing and maintaining
a system of properly surfaced roads. No community ever regrets
the expenditure of time and money in building passable highways.
Social conditions improve. The modern highway takes the isolation
out of rural life and likewise relieves the city of its oppressive
congestion. It affords the farmer ready and economical access to the
market of the city and furnishes the city dweller an inviting avenue to
rest and recreation in the country. It consolidates the small and inadequate
rural schools into one modern community school, provides ample
facilities for modern education, erects and equips modern school buildings
and carries the rural pupils to and from school in comfortable
motor vehicles. It is the one great connecting link which solidifies the
interest of the urban and rural citizen. The modern highway and
motor transportation furnishes the city dinner table with seasonable
vegetables, fresh from the country garden. It places the fresh barnyard
egg on the breakfast table of the city home. It enables the country
citizen to live within the very shadow of the city sky-scraper and
makes it possible for the city dweller to fill his lungs with invigorating,
life-renewing country air. It puts the packing house within a stone's
throw of the ranchman and enables the fruit grower to rush his perishable
products to the metropolitan markets of the nation. The highway
is not an inanimate, material thing; "it is a living force that serves to
bind the people of this State, and country, more closely together, stamps
out isolation, and eliminates distance."
HIGHWAY BUILDING IN TEXAS.
If the building of good roads is necessary in the development of a
country, then the construction of an adequate system of public highways
in Texas is at the present time imperative. The necessity and the
demand for improved highways is in direct proportion to the area and
population to be served. As Texas surpasses all other States in area,
her mileage of enduring highways should properly exceed that of any
other State. Texas leads all other States in railroad mileage. She surpasses
all other States in the number of her farms and farm products;
in ranches and live stock interests. With an area larger than the Republic
of France or the German Empire, Texas has a future replete
with alluring prospects and boundless opportunities. This great State
of ours has a place in the sun. Her people should unite in improving
and standardizing a network of highways that will stand as a monument
of usefulness to future generations. Texas now leads all other
States in highway building and in the last four years has completed
a greater mileage of improved roads than any other State, and with
her characteristic, indomitable will, she surely will continue to lead in
the great work of constructing enduring highways.
OUR PRESENT PLAN FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION.
With railroad transportation inadequate to meet present demands,
and with agriculture, stock-raising and industrial development
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Neff, Pat M. Speeches delivered by Pat M. Neff, Governor of Texas, discussing certain phases of contemplated legislation, book, 1923; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5835/m1/16/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .