Page:Highway Needs of the National Defense.pdf/94

74 In view of the progress that had been made in improvement of the larger network, the situation in 1941 called for an indication of the part of the included mileage, relatively of primary importance, which then should be treated preferentially in the programing of further improvement. It was for this reason that the War Department specified its particular interest in a part of the network.

Following the direction of the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1948, the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Resources Board have been invited to cooperate in the preparation of this report. Each has been requested to indicate again, and as of the present time, the potential needs for improved hi ways for the national defense.

Outstanding in the advice received from the National Military Establishment is the comment that the National System of Interstate Highways comprises the principal routes of strategic importance.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

The report of a special committee directed by the Secretary of Defense to consider the matter on behalf of the entire National Military Establishment comments as follows: