In 1912 there were hardly any paved roads, and certainly no Federally funded roads.

Ever take a close look at a 1912 vintage car? Or ride in one? I have ridden in models ranging from a Model T, to a Pierce Arrow. You don't want to go far in one, or fast. You don't want to be in one in bad weather, because they lack things like a heater, or windshield wipers, or side curtains, or, in some cases, doors. If you wanted distance, speed, and comfort, you took the train.

Fun with numbers (from Wiki)

The US Interstate highway system is 48,890 miles long. The US numbered highway system, "US Highway" and "US Route", totals another 157,724 miles, but those roads are primarily built and maintained by state and local governments, since establishment of the system in 1926.

US railroad trackage peaked in 1916, at about 254,000 miles, before the railroads started losing volume to the growing road system.

But this is all a sideshow. TPTB want to get rid of the income tax, so they will continue to float schemes to get them there.

Just for fun: Steve takes a ride in a 36 Cadillac. Consider the fitful way the windshield wipers operate, and imagine being in a frog strangler with wipers like that. Of course, you wouldn't have fitful vacuum wipers in 1912, because you wouldn't have wipers at all.

YouTube: 36Cadillac (Steve Valley)

Steve