|
| Title | Your highway ABC book (G-J) |
| Author | Williams, Jay H. |
| Publisher | National Highway Users Conference
|
| Publisher Location | United States -- Washington, D.C. |
| Publication Date | 1935 |
| Printer | Unknown
|
| Illustrator | Unknown
|
| Image Production Process | Planographic prints--lithographs
|
| Notes | Illustrated with color printed lithographs.
An alphabet book meant as an advertisement to promote the transportation infrastructure of the United States and a "fair" system of highway user fees. Each letter advocates for an issue or a cause related to the National Highway Users Conference goals as a lobbyist for more funding and highway legislation.
G is for gasoline and the high taxes on gasoline. The illustration depicts a gas station attendant writing "GAS TAX" on a chalkboard sign.
H is for highways paid for with tax money. The illustration depicts a car and truck driving along a highway through the countryside.
I is for the income from taxes on gas. Although intended to be used to build more roads, the verse suggests that the money goes to other projects. The illustration depicts a man counting bags and stacks of money. On the road outside his window is a "road closed" sign.
J stands for the "joke the tax-men have played, charging us taxes for roads never made. Sea-walls and oyster-beds--homes for sick toads--Built with the money we paid for our roads!" The illustration depicts a sick toad laying in a bed. |
| Contextual Notes | General Motors was "instrumental in the creation of the National Highway Users Conference, which became the most powerful lobby in Washington. Highway lobbyists worked directly with lawmakers to craft highway-friendly legislation, and GM's promotional films were showcasing America's burgeoning interstate highway system as the realization of the so-called 'American dream of freedom on wheels.'" (Source: The Great American Streetcar Scandal by Larry West, About.com) |
| Subjects (LCSH) | Alphabet; Transportation -- Juvenile literature |
| Category | Alphabet books
|
| Language | English |
| Digital Collection | Children's Historical Literature Collection |
| Digital ID Number | CHL0337 |
| Repository | University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division |
| Repository Collection | Children's Historical Literature Collection. |
| Object Type | Book
|
| Physical Description | [14] p.: illustrated; 24 x 17 cm. |
| Digital Reproduction Information | Scanned from original book at 400-600 dpi in TIFF format using a ScanMaker 6800, resized and enhanced using Adobe Photoshop, and imported as JPEG2000 using Contentdm's software JPEG2000 Extension. 2008. |
| Exhibit Checklist | Exhibit checklist A.47 |
