The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-22

Branch of the Agricultural Department.
United States government
retary. ID. b. Atherton. President Nav
sought to decline his nomination, but
Mr.. Keller and j. A. Lansing. VINO
made it. and A. w. Dickson took the
matter in hand and the proceedings
away from the chair, having the nOmi-
nations closed for the presidency and
declaring Captain May the only candi-
date
The report of the manufacturers
committee recommended the re.elec-
tiOn of Secretary Atherton. The cleo
tions will take place at the January
meeting.
General Stone and Mr.. Harrison went
from the meeting to the Scranton BIZ
cycle club house. where they met and
addressed number Of twheelmen.
That gathering informally decided to
perfect good roads league"
GENERAL STONES ADDRESS.
In his address before the board Gem
eral Stone set his hearers to thinking
by his assertions that Pennsylvania,
while having the poorest roads in the
United States, pays more than any
other state for the good roads it don't
get. Mr. Harrison. too, emphasized
that point and then told something
about the ideal highways Of New Jer-
sey and the popularity they had at
tanned. Each speaker presented his
subject in such u crisp way that their
listeners will be active and influential
agents in supporting one or all Of the
several good roads" movements now
afoot in the legislature Or.through 9TH
er channels.
About twenty-five persons, most of
ftat, t,n iptf ~ h.. 1,.n nd of
trade. were present. The speakers and
the subject for consideration was sug-
gested by the interest taken in good
roads by several of the boards leading
members and by the recent good roads
meeting in Philadelphia of the Penn
sylvania division of the League of
American Wheelmen attended by A. b.
Dunning. jr.. good roads enthusiast
and the boards secretary. d. b. Ath-
erton, who Is also president of the
Scranton Bicycle club. which Organi-
cation will soon begin a political and
educational good roads campaign.
General Stone several times empha-
sized the eXpediency for appointing a
commission from the board Of trade
or other public body to investigate the
question, and the later organization of
local good roads league. He was
certain that the organization would
be effected and productive Of a great
deal of good. He discussed at length
the league movements in California,
New York and New Jersey. In Cali
fornia u system has been created
through the influence iof public or
ganizations whereby material is pre-
pared and loaded on cars for 30 cents
per ton and 1t Is transported by the
railroads for the actual cost of haul
Ina In, lfSsr t,n ,,A
Of the system 1t was the best step ever
attempted for the employment of con-
victs-in a way that does not interfere
with organized labor-and for the i'm
provement of highways.
NEED GOOD ROADS HERE.
From what l have observed and
been told said General Stone, you
need good roads in this region; you
need them badly Your roads are GER
tainly not good. Your city has grown
and prospered because of its cheap
fuel. plentiful labor and railroads, but
you will find that there are other ave-
nueS to which YOU will have to look
for continued and increased prosper
ity: good roads is one Of these You
need them. not alone to make II easier
and cheaper to get supplies, but, also,
to make II convenient and moi at
tractive to live in the country and to
attract city visitors to these beautiful
hills. In France it Is not uncommon
to see farmer and his load of farm
product fifty miles from home. In this
locality it Is unusual If the farmer
an his load (of Droduce) travel five
miles on trip. You have to pay for
this Inconvenience"
General Stone approved of the pro-
visions of the Flynn bill as u tempo
rary and perhaps permanent system.
The Flynn proposition is to permit a
good roads tax levy of as much as 2
mills according to the local option of
counties. the commissioners to decide