The age-herald., 1901-11-14
Just as Important as the Off, flee of Commissioner of
 Agriculture
PLAN TO FORM STATE BODY
After This Organization Is Completed the Legislature Should Be Asked for Assistance-Arranplng
 for Convention Here.

to have established good roads depart ment in connection with the State gov ernment of Alabama. Mayor Drennen believes the question of good roads just as important as the agricultural or any other department of State government. He is enthusiastic over his plan and will give his best efforts towards seeing 1t carried into execution.
 The forthcoming visit of the Southern Railways good roads train has aroused lively interest on the subject of better highways throughout the State. The train will visit Birmingham, Mont tgomery and Mobile. In Birmingham a good roads convention of North Alabama will be held and in Montgomery one for Central Alabama and in Mobile one for South Alabama.
 Mayor Drennen suggests that after the visit of the good roads train these or- ganizations be merged Into State orr ganization to work along the same lines as the National Good Roads Association. In discussing his project the Mayor said:
 Go Before Legislature.
 "When this organization is perfected we should go before the Legislature and ask for recognition In the way of bu- reau or department, just as tho National Association asks aid from Congress. feel sure that with the cooperation of the State at large we would easily obtain assistance from the Legislature. We will follow the lines of the national organiza- tion, only, of course, on a smaller scale.
 "A department of good roads Is cer- tainly just as important as the one pre- sided over by the commissioner of agri- culture. That the State needs better roads cannot be questioned. You cannot find man In any sort of business. from the millionaire down to the day laborer, who Is not in favor of the project. Every class of business Is benefited by better roads, and the time is ripe for the State to take action along progressive lines.
 This is the first project have taken hold of since being in public life which did not meet some opposition. have not found single person opposed to 1t.
 T expect to talk the question over with prominent visitors from over the State who will attend the convention here and definite steps will be taken to carry out these plans.'
 Ready for Convention Here.
 The good roads convention executive committee held a meeting in the Mayors office yesterday morning to further ar- range details for the gathering. The sub- committees have done their work well and very little remains to be done before the convention is called to order on next Wednesday.
 The committee feels much encouraged been liberal in rates. It was first an- nounced that the rate of one fare for the round trip would be good only within a radius of 100 miles, The railroads have now agreed that the tickets are good for Huntsville. Sheffield. Florence, Tusca- loosa and all intermediate points. The tickets go on sale November 20 and are good to return till November "A.
 The committee, composed of City En- gineer Kendrfck. County Road Commis- sicner Jackson and Alderman J. F. Gra- ham, appointed to go to Chattanooga to meet the good roads train, left yesterday afternoon. When they return the final details for securing slag, chert and other material for the demonstration here will be closed.
 Speakers Invited.
 The programme for tho first day of the convention includes addresses by B. F. Roden, Mayor Drennen. Capt. A. J. Tarrant and President w. H. Moore of the Good Roads Association. An equally elaborate programme has been prepared for the second day.
 sent to Capt. A. J.. Tarrant, Col. J. M, Faulkner of the Louisville and Nash vile Railroad, Col. J. F. B. Jackson. President Samuel Spencer of the South err Railroad, M. V. Richards, land and industrial agent of the Southern Rail- road; Commissioner of Agriculture Pool, w. A. Holmes. chief of bureau of good roads, and Col. Tominson Fort of Chat tanooga.
 An invitation was also sent to Gen. Joseph Wheeler. asking him to make an address.
 Mayor Drennen has been invited to att tend the good roads convention of south Alabama, which will convene in Mobile. He will probably accept in order to lay before that body his plans for a state