States, road associations, and other elements to endorse a plan for U.S. route numbering.
Shortly thereafter as Chief of the Design Division he spearheaded the development of uniform signs and markings. His great interest in traffic control devices was evidenced with his appointment in 1925 as Chairman of the AASHO Committee on Highway Signs, Signals and Markers and the subsequent publication in 1927 of the Manual and Specifications for the Manufacture, Display and Erection of U.S. Standard Road Markers and Signs prepared under his supervision.
From 1924 to 1943 he served as chairman of the AASHO Committee on Standards. In March 1930 James became Chief of the new Division of Highway Transport.
This Division, under his leadership, brought the Bureau of Public Roads into the newly reorganized field of traffic engineering and the developing fields of highway finance and economics.
For nine years James, as Chief of the Division, supervised the development in the Bureau of this new field of highway transport, including planning surveys, traffic surveys and related studies, coordinating activities with AASHO and the Highway Research Board.
Although occupied with the duties of his new position, he was still able to assume responsibility for undertaking a comprehensive feasibility and reconnaissance study of an Inter-American Highway. The resultant report, Reconnaissance Survey of the Proposed Inter-American Highway from the Republic of Panama to the United States, became the basis of construction of this important international highway.
By 1939 James was deeply involved with construction programs on the Inter-American route as well as foreign assistance programs. He continued with these projects until he retired in 1953.
During the course of his career, he served as Chief Inspector of Post Roads, Chief of the Division of Maintenance, General Inspector, Assistant Chief Engineer, Chief of Design, Chief of Highway Transport, and Chief of the Inter-American Highway Division.
James continually found time to express his thoughts and knowledge in articles prepared for publication in engineering magazines and periodicals. Well over 200 such articles were published, with many of them in Spanish, a language which James spoke fluently.
With his background of work in the Philippines and his knowledge of design, construction and planning, he prepared the book titled Highway Construction, Administration, and Finance—1929. The book, prepared especially for the purpose of acquainting Latin American officials and engineers with road practice in the United States, was translated into 17 languages and distributed throughout the world. In 1930 it was selected for the Belgian Award as first prize in a worldwide competition by the International Association of Road Congresses.
With a genuine handshake, sincerity, and directness to the problem, James represented the best in highway engineering that the first half century of the automobile age could produce.
His greatest assets were reflected in his relentless drive to achieve or solve problems in the highway field.
Perhaps the James theory concerning man and the use of his intellect were best expressed in a letter he wrote as he approached his 90th year.
On his well-worn typewriter he wrote to a friend: “I have never been able to sympathize with the fellow who retires and at once begins to rust out.”
During his career he received many awards and citations. Receipt of the Citation for Meritorious Service and Gold Medal Award of the Department of Commerce in 1950 and the Citation and Decoration of Foreign Service (U.S.) in 1944 represented acknowledgement by his government of his devotion to his job.
Needless to say, James was the “amigo” of the highway engineering professionals of Latin America and materially extended the image of the Bureau as an organization dedicated to the art of building roads and, in foreign assistance, of helping those who wished to help themselves.
