1 Actual for fiscal years through 1965; estimated 1966-73. FIGURE 1 THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS STATUS OF IMPROVEMENT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1963 PRELIMINARY STATUS OR NOT YET IN PROGRESS Fian preparation and right-of-way acquisition completed ar underway on many portions of these sections Mr. FALLON. Thank you, Mr. Whitton. Mr. Whitton, I wanted to ask you a few questions. No. 1, as I understand, there is a resolution proposed by the American Automobile Association to defer the date of planning, for communities over 50,000, to a date in the future. I do not know whether they suggested any other deadline. I notice in your talk here this morning you are telling us how well this program is getting along, and that you did not feel there would be any great loss to anybody by keeping this 1965 deadline in the law. What is your further reaction to this resolution passed by the American Automobile Association? Mr. WHITTON. Mr. Chairman, we feel very strongly that the July 1, 1965, deadline should be kept, merely because the cities and communities, and the State highway departments, need to be getting started with this continuing planning process in order that they can qualify for Federal aid in those particular cities; and, further, in order that they can get the job of planning done in time to get the Interstate completed in that area by 1972. If we start postponing it, we will get to the point where we won't get done in 1972. We feel very strongly that there should not be any postponement of that date. Mr. FALLON. Mr. Whitton, it is my recollection that when we considered this section of the law that it was presented to us that they must have a plan. It was suggested then, to relieve any opposition to the program at that time, to add the word "continuing." It means that |