Table 3 NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS FEDERAL-AID PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HIGHWAY SYSTEMS ACTIVE AND COMPLETED PROJECTS FINANCED WITH PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND URBAN FUNDS HIGHWAY PROGRAM CUTBACKS Mr. BOLAND. What postponements, curtailments, or reductions by any name are proposed by the President pursuant to his September 4 statement for the Federal highway programs for fiscal year 1970? You mention the fact that the 75-percent reduction in new construction starts did not apply to the Federal highway system but that the States have been asked to consider curtailing expenses, including highway construction itself. In view of that instruction to the States, it would seem there is going to be some reductions in State programs, and if there are not reductions in State programs, the Federal Government is going to take some action in this area. What do you anticipate the impact to be as a result of the administration's statement? Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chairman, the President's statement to which you refer did indicate that he was directing the Federal agencies to immediately reduce Federal project approvals by 75 percent, and we have done this by order to all of our field offices. This involves the forest highway part of the program, the public lands part of the program, and the defense access roads, of which we have very little, but those are the principal parts of the program affected by that request of the President. As you have indicated, he requested the Governors to follow the example of the Federal Government. In response to that, representatives of the Governors' conference have requested a meeting with appropriate representatives in the executive branch of the Government. I believe the representatives are seeking a meeting this week for discussion of this point. I would point out that the request for reduction in project approval applies to construction in general. It does not single out any one program. Therefore, it is difficult to know whether the individual States will apply the bulk of the reduction to the highway part of the program in the State or to some other element. So, at this stage it would be to a large extent speculation to indicate precisely what the effect might be on the highway part of the program. Mr. BOLAND. Of course, highway construction is a considerable part of the construction in any State at the present moment. It is, therefore, one of the most significant areas in which reductions could be made, if there was a specific instruction on the Federal level to impose reductions. As you have indicated, the Governors are going to meet this week in an effort to solve this, or to come up with some solution which might be agreeable. I presume if there is no voluntary action taken by the State, there could be some precipitated action by the Federal Government. Would you think this would be so? Mr. TURNER. The President's statement indicates such action might need to be taken if voluntary response was not obtained. Mr. BOLAND. I think the Administrator of the Bureau would have to have more direction from the Secretary of Transportation with respect to this. Perhaps Secretary Baker might like to comment on this matter. Is it your judgment that on the Secretary's level there would be some action taken by the Department of Transportation with respect |