The San Francisco call., 1897-02-11
THE FIRST DAY
FOR GOOD ROADS
Annual Assembly of the
League of American
Wheelmen.
Electioneering for O fcers Divid.
ing the Time With
Highways.
Prominent Wheelmen From All Sec.
tions at Albany-Speeches of
the Opening Session.

ALBANY, N. Y, Feb. 10.-Wheelmen
OF the highest prominence from all Sec
tlons OF the country We're present to-day
at the opening session of the annual as
bly, OF the National League of Amer
lean Wheelmen: The opening gun was
hred in the cause of good roads, to-day
being devoted 10 the consideration of this
important question as regards the highest
interest of wheeImen.
The assembly opened in Jermain Hall
under auspicious circumstances, having
larger attendance of delegates and leaders
from every State than at any previous
one- Every State in the Union is repre-
sented with the exception of Florida and
Louisiana.
The fight for the different offices goes
merrily on, and has tended to coun-
teract on the good roads discussion, many
OF the delegates beng absent, so that they
could do something to build the fences of
their candidates stronger.
At 1920 clock about 300 persons had
arrived and President Elliott raped for
order. He said that all appreciated the
work that could be done on this occasion,
and that the L. A. w. had taken an i'm
portant step in setting aside day for
good roads discussion. He asserted
that the side path was a good thing,
but was not certain whether the wheel.
men were justified in building them, as it
seemed that such work retarded the good
roads movement. At the conclusion of
his remarks he introduced Chief Consul
|. B. Potter of New York as chairman of
the day.
Mr.. Potter received an ovation when he
assumed charge of the meeting. He said
he would take up the side path question
where Mr.. Elliott had left it, and intro
duced Lieutenan t-Governor Woodruff as
having been instrumental in choosing the
celebrated path from Brooklyn to Coney
Island. The Lieutenant-Governorw was re-
ceived very heartily and made brief
speech.
J. Cohen of Portland, Or, was next in
troduced and talked on the roads question
on the Pacific Coast and especially in Ore
roads in Oregon left unimproved were
simply bottomless, and it took a good
deal OF money to start the work OF i'm
provement.
Since the Oregon Road Club, which con-
tanned I'll mem bers, had been instrument
tai in getting Improvements in the city of
Portland, asphalt has been used, but it
has not answered the purpose, and they
were now experimenting with wooden
blocks.
James Owen of Newark, N. J., who was
instrumental in securing the good roads
for New Jersey, followed with an address
on the roads in that State. He said the
first i'm mportant task in good roads move
ments is To educate the people up to that
point.
w. Z. McClintock, member of the
Massachusetts Highway Com mission, was
the next speaker. At IL O'Clock a recess
was taken until O'Clock.
IL
hall was filled. Hon. A. B. Choate of
Minneapolis, a prominent advocate of
good roads, was the first speaker. He
said the laws on the subject of highways
in the United States at present are jum-
bled mass OF incongruities, without sys-
te or ingenuity and resembled a crazy
quilt.
force in the majority of the States allow
ing the farmers TO work out their road tax
on the roads was responsible for the bad
roads in the United States. He thought
this rule should be abolished by every
State. and urged the L. A. W. to exercise
its offices in this direction as primary
step to general GOOD roads movement.
He said that there were two principal
ways in which the l.. A. w. can work for
better roads laws. One is by entering into
practical politics and the other is by act
Ing as missionaries for the gospel of good
roads he said the present prospects are
good for advancement in road improve
meat every where. and in conclusion he
urged all TO expend some of their energies
in this movement, that there might be
united effort.
J. w. Morrison, civil engineer, of Rich
mond County, gave history of the good
roads movements in Staten Island.
E. c. Harrison of the Govern nment Bu-
reau of Good Roads gave an account of
his experience while travelling through
New York and Pennsylvania in the inter-
est of highway improvement.
While the good roads convention was in
session there was great deal of excite
ment about the headquarters of the two
candidates for president.
L. w. Connolly of Illinois still persists
in having his name sent to the convention
as candidate for president. The West is
divided on this question, and unless there
is a change before 10 o. clock next Mondav
1t Is said that all the votes Connolly will
have will be those of his own State.