National Research Council

Chas. M. Upham, Director of the Highway Research Board has prepared a strong program for its fourth annual meeting to be held at Washington, Dec. 4–5. Among other important topics to be discussed, the question of defaulted highway contracts is looked upon as paramount, and it is believed that while many unforeseen elements may creep in, a more accurate calculation of the work by the contractor himself, might be representative of a saving of considerable time and money. The responsibility of the bonding companies was also considered, and Thomas H. MacDonald, Chief of the Bureau of Public Roads, holds that if these bonding companies were to make a more careful study of their risks before issuing bonds, great advantage might be derived. At the coming meeting, the advisability of a secondary or new and less expensive type of road will also be discussed. This road to be used on less frequented highways of secondary traffic.