A Progress Report on the Interstate Highway System
- Title:
- A Progress Report on the Interstate Highway System
- Alternate Title:
- A Progress Report on the Interstate Highway System
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Caterpillar Tractor Co.
- Date:
- 1961
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 2030.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_2030_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1960 - Present
- Subject:
- Advertising & Promotion
- Measurement:
- 27 x 53 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This map was apparently part of a major lobbying effort to secure funding from the Congress to complete the Interstate Highway System.
The highway system, adopted by Congress in 1956, was a major initiative of the Eisenhower Administration. The map shows that in early 1961, only a small portion of it was actually open to traffic. Moreover, major questions had arisen as to how its completion would be funded, including criticism from drivers that they were paying a disproportionately large portion of the cost through increases in the gasoline tax. "Critical problems must be resolved in 1961 to assure continued progress in the development of highway transportation, experts in that field said . . . . They agreed that 1961 would be the year of decision, with Congress in the driver's seat." New York Times, January 2, 1961, p. 23. On February 28, newly-inaugurated President Kennedy responded to these issues by proposing to freeze the gasoline tax and fund the highway system through a combination of other measures, principally increased taxes on tires and increased license fees for heavy trucks. The trucking industry and the Teamsters Union immediately announced their firm opposition. Ibid. March 1, 1961, pp. 1, 16.
This advertisement was published as the House of Representatives was considering President Kennedy's proposals. Caterpillar Tractor Company, which produced heavy road-building equipment, was a major beneficiary of the expanded program of highway construction, and its primary interest was in securing full funding for completion of the system, rather than any particular funding mechanism. The Caterpillar ad shows the entire planned network of Interstate Highways, but more importantly, the text provides state-by-state detail for voters and legislators on mileage "Open to Traffic," "Work Under Way" and "Work to Be Done" - employment and economic benefits to be realized from the construction. Shortly thereafter, the House voted to authorize $11 billion to complete the interstate system and provided funding mechanisms, including an increase of $150 million a year in taxes on the trucking and tire industries. Ibid. May 5, 1961, p. 1. As the Congress continue work on the legislation, the trucking industry agreed to support the House compromise, "although reluctantly. . . . The nation's truck operators have come to the end of the line." Ibid. June 8, 1961, p. 45. The final legislation was signed into law on June 29. Ibid. June 30, 1961, p. 10.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Source:
- Saturday Evening Post, April 22, 1961.
- Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.