Senator GORE. Do you make that statement with respect to the primary, urban, and secondary, as well as the interstate? Mr. WHITTON. I think we need a balanced program, Senator, clear across the board. We believe previous to World War II we averaged about 11⁄2 percent of the gross national product on roads, whereas in the face of the greatly increased highway need we are now expending about threequarters of 1 percent. Senator KERR. Would you repeat that statement? Mr. WHITTON. Yes, sir. Previous to World War II we averaged about 12 percent of the gross national product on roads, whereas in the face of greatly increased highway need we are now expending about three-fourths of 1 percent. We are spending approximately half of what we did spend. Mr. WHITTON. Percentagewise as compared to the national product. Senator GORE. What were those years that you have used, percentagewise? Mr. WHITTEN. I just said before World War II and after. Senator GORE. Of course you have to take into consideration there that since then we have also had an atomic energy program on which we have spent a good percentage. What will needed highway improvements cost? Mr. WHITTEN. This chart shows graphically what we think they will cost. The tabulation summarizes the answer to that question as determined in 1954 through a comprehensive study requested by the Congress, and conducted by the Bureau of Public Roads in cooperation with the various State highway departments. Senator CASE. I assume this may come in in some other form, but there is the first breakdown I have seen of the $101 billion figure into so many detailed classifications. Assuming that that is as the witness has just said, in response to the request and the act passed last year, I would like to see that chart included in detail. (The chart referred to is as follows:) Senator GORE. The next witness has a more detailed statement. These charts illustrate the statement that the president of the American Association of State Highway Officials will make. Mr. WHITTEN. Yes, sir, to a certain extent. If Senator Case and you gentlemen desire a copy of these charts Senator GORE. We would. Mr. WHITTEN. We are in a position to furnish them. Senator GORE. The committee would appreciate it if you would furnish copies of that for not only all members of the subcommittee, but all members of the Public Works Committee. Senator MARTIN. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that those figures be put in the record because that would be more convenient and it would be more permanent for us to refer to. I think we will be referring to it quite frequently. Senator GORE. We will incorporate these figures in the chart in the record at this point. (The charts referred to are as follows:) |