The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-04
BAD ROADS UNDER THE BAN.
THE WORK OF THE NATIONAL con-
GRESS COMPLETED.

Road Legislation first DiscuSSSu'
Cooperation in Building and Best
Methods and Material in Com
structing Roads Taken Up Next.
The Best Method of Accusing Pub
lie Interest the Final Topic.
Orlando. Fla. Feb. 3.-The National
Good Roads congress met at the opera
house this morning at $50 o clock, and was
called to order by w. A, White, in the alb
sence of Dr. Foster. Rev. +. D. Hunt OF
Sanford opened the session with prayer.
The following permanent organization
was Effected Cen. Poy Stone OF Washing
ton d. C. president; Col. f. w. Merlin
Plant city. Fla. vice president; T. J. APP
pleyard. Sanford. Fla. secretary; w. A.
white Orlando, Fla, assistant secretary
The committee on programme reported
I'm favor of topical discussion, rather than
general, and suggested. as the first subject
for to-day: Road legislation" the discus
sion to be led by II. w. Anderson of Vir-
glnla.
Second-"Co-operation in building and
best methods and material in constructing
roads" to be led by Gen. Roy Stone.
Third-"The best method of arousing
public interest and educating the public
mind on the subject of good roads" to be
led bv w. M. Bennett of Lake County,
Fla
Cen Stone introduced II. w. Anderson,
who, although a very young man, is at
the head of the good roads movement In
Virginia He had evidently given much
Thought and study to the subject and dis
cussed Il in a very able and thorough
manner. He advocated the local building
and controls of roads, and the levy of
sDecial sta4e tax for the construction OF
GOOD roads. and a county tax, and also
district tax, and a wheel tax, to be RENTED
when wide tires were adopted, these 70 De
regulated according to the needs OF the
,.oun n1llnity He favored the issue or bonds
where the conditions Justined II. he rec
ommended a state highway commission,
anpointed or elective, who are to nave
charge of the eXpediture of all moneys Tor
road purposes and county engineer 70
ssuperntend the construction Of roads. ne
also favored the employment OF state and
county convicts upon the pubnc ROADS.
This statement was greeted by applause.
lie recited the provisions OF the Cahtorhla
laM on that subject.
w. M. Anderson offered the following
resolution which was adopted;
"Fkesolved That the subject of road leg
islation be referred to the committee on
resolutions to report as soon as possloiei
and that that report be made a special
O iT5e resident announced the appoint
1nent of the following committee on res
olIItions: w. ID. Chipley OF Pensacola, Dr.
w d. Anderson of Virginia, w. M Ben
rett Of Lake county, Florida, J. b. 7.
Tupper Of Washington, ID. C., to which
The president Gen. Roy Stone, was added
a. 11:3O Gen. Roy Stone took up the
eerond question, "Co-operation in Build
ing and Best Material for Constructing
'I fqe said that the state of FLORIDA had bet
Ter facilities and a greater variety of ma
terial for constructing good roads than
any state in the union lie recommended
ttrta Of Cfa a
ciations and of county associations VINO
are TO agitate the question and educate
the people by means OF pubncatlons ana
pubic meetings He advised the appoint
meal or election of state highway COM
mission. The railroads were greatly inter
ested in the subject of good roads. Their
nronertv would be doubled in value if
complete system of good roads could be
secured. In California the railroads were
cooperating with the people In this mat
Ter and were transporting road material
al the actual cost of tranportauon, Wnlch
was % cents per ton for fifty miles or less
And there was no question but what the
Florida railroads would do as well or bet
ter as the cost of transportation Is less
than in California. He thought that in
this manner good shell roads could be
made al from $500 to $500 per mile in Flor
ida where shell could be mined from the
mounds by steam shovels and loaded a.
rect on the cars at nominal cost he
said fight hard times with good roads
wherever good roads were built prosperity
succeeds them. -, -.
law in operation in New Jersey. When a
good road is started by local Initiation, II
grows and continues 10 grow until every
connection is made good.
The benefit of a good road is not lin
tied to those whose lands abut upon that
road. but all are benefited VINO use II,
those who live upon the roads running
into the main road, and that district Wlu-
ened the farther you go from the city or
initial point forming a. trc co9btv VITO towns Ts
Every individual benehted by tnat ROAD
should contribute toward itS construction;
Gen Stone was listened to with marked
attention and was applauded at the con-
clusion of his address.
''The best methods of arousing public In
terest and educating the. public mind IN
getting good highways, lncludlng Coop
Grafton and needed legislation. The news
papers were named as the greatest Puo-
lie educators. Their influence should ne
secured and used increasingly. Inc CO.
operation of the railroads should be de-
manded The church also should be en-
listed in the cause. He showed the neces-
sitv for and the advantage of good roads.
lis speech was short, put Directly TO the
Icint and was received with applause.
Prof b. G. Northrop OF Connecticut was
introduced and made short address, IN
which he eulogized the state OF fIorlda'
ing il with California, where he had
epent several winters.
The committee on resolutions through
Col Chipley. its chairman, reported Sc
res of resolutions advocating state laws
for good roads and the levying of taxes
lpon real and personal property for such
purposes. Col. Chipley read the following
resolution, which was adopted:
''Whereas, the national good roads con-
gress recognizes the Importance of good
roads. to the social, business, agricnl-
tural moral, educational and religious IN
terests OF our country; therefore. be it
"ResolVed, That the necessity for the
agitation of the important subject is
earnestly urged upon our people, and, be
St further
pfaa,f lion 81
state good road leagues, supplemented by
county leagues, is recommended as the
most important factor in arousing the
proper interest and action"
S. V. Pickens moved that committee
OF five be appointed to arrange for a meet
ing of the congress next year of which
the president of this congress shall he
chairman. This motion was unanimously
adopted. and the following committee was
appointed. 5. V. Pickens of North Caro-
lima, w. NJ. Anderson of Virginia. Or.
Henry Foster of New York. w. l.. Palmer
of Florida, W. d. Chipley of Florida and
w A. White secretary.
FATAL WORK BY THE FLAMES.