The San Francisco call., 1897-10-08
What the Goodroads League
Hopes and Expects to
Accomplish.
Will Improve Every Thorough
fare in California in a
Few Years.
Only Friends of the Movement Will
Be Sent to the Next
Legislature.

i ne california OOOQrOduS GSoS NC h0AS
started out to educate the people along
the lines which it is believed will event.
ually improve the entire State IN more
ways than one. The objects OF the organl-
zation are generally known-the improve
ment of every thoroughfare in the entlre
State-Dut how to attain this Is the ques-
tion that has puzzled the leaders OF the
movement ever since 1t was started. VI
late the committees in charge OF the man
agement have formed plan by which
they hope to meet the success sought for.
J. L. Maude, the secretary of the league,
IN speaking of the plan adopted, said:
The California Goodroads League has been
organized to secure a more progressive system
of roads in California, including State high
ways, county thOrOughiares and district
roads. The time has passed when II was neces-
Sary to present arguments In support OF the
proposltion that scien tifically constructed and
we'll maintained roads are essential to the
progress and prosperity OF any community.
This however, is only part OF the reform
work. It remains to concentrate the goodroads
sentiment of the State upon the details OF the
measures by which good roads are 10 be OBJ
tanned, and to secure the enactment OF the
necessary laws. This is the wOrk that the
league intends 20 accomplish, and 1t will de-
vote itself aggressively to the task. Permanent
quarters will be opened In San Franc lSco from
which the work viii be carried on.
The work thus laid out divides itself under
two heads-educational and political. Under
the first head pamphlets Will be prepared,
puhlis ned and widely distributed. These Will
discuss the peculiar phases OF the road ques-
tion in California arising from It's climatic and
Typographical conditions.
In its active political work the league will
not affiliate with any one party, but with all
Members of the league will act inside of their
own party organizations 10 secure direct and
positive declarations in the party platforms
favOring the principles EN- bodied in The meas
ures prepared by the league II will be the
H1-G aTY,o4
legislative candidates favorable to goodroads 5
legislation and the rejection of those unfa-
vorable to such legislation. At the election
no distinction Will be made between favorable
candidates but those who are opposed to good
roads will find the league arrayed against
them.
strength of numbers it is desired TO enroll
every advocate of good roads n the State as
active membe There will be no mem ber-
ship dues, SO that there may be no reason for
any such refusing to Join. As soon as there
are sufficient mum Der of mem bers in any
county, or in any thickly settled portion OF a
county, local affiliated clubs will be formed to
push the work in that county. While the
members viii be asked to pay dues or as
sessmeuts, the possession OF adequate funds is
absolutely necessary to insure a succa ssfui
termination of the work of the league. Print
ing, postage and clerical work must be pa i'd
for and this money must be raised by sub
seriptions To this end all advocat tes of good
roads are earnestly urged to con tribute 1iber-
ally This request is urged both on the ground
OF Lnelr DuDllc interest IN I1e welfare OF the
State and upon their individual interest. The
improvement of the public highways viii at
tract tourists and settlers, and the amount of
wealth brought into the State will be limited
only By the improved condition of the roads
Better facilities of communication will en-
hance the value of the products of the farmer
and reduce his expenses; they will increase
his ability to pstronize the merchant and the
manufacturer. The landowner Will find the
demand for his land increased and his hold
ings thereby improved in value. The material
condition of in the community "
whether he drives over the roads not viii
be bettered. Considered from the point Of
view OF the community or the individual
there is no 1nves tment that will pay better
Than improved highways, and the money con-
tributed to enable the league to carry on its
work will do more to secure this end than
could be accomplished by the same amount OF
money invested in any other way.
It is estimated that $4,000 will be required
to enable the league to carry on its campaign
up to the enactment of the laws at the next
session of the Legislature. The money will be
expended under the direction OF the board OF
directors, and the commercial and profes-
sional standing of those who constitute the
board is guarantee that it will be wisely and
economically spent. They animated in
this work, not by seIt-interest. but by sole
desire TO promote the public welfare.
Temporary headquarters have been es-
tablished at the Board of Trade rooms at
16 Post street. The officers and board OF
managers of the league mentioned bv Mr..
Maude consist of the following gen tlemen
Seth Mann, president; T. J. Field, vice-presi.
dent; ]. L. Maude, secretary; R. NJ. Welch
treasurer. Board OF fdirectors-Charies Albert
Adams, A. n. Young, Robert NJ. WEIGH, W. H.
Mills, +. l. Nassault San Fran cisco; A. B.
Nye, Seth Mann, e. B. Jerome Alameda; J. A.
Linscott, A. P. Stanton. J. D. Enright, San ia
N. Francis, Napa; W. R. Porter, San Bernar-
dino; j. A. Woodson, Sacramento; Orrin s.
Henderson, San Joaquin; j. Fl. Watkins, Los
Angeles; ]. NJ. Gleaves, Shasta, ]. L. Maude,
Riverside.