The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-15

religious and Notwithstanding in
the convention work, and every one OF
these interests advocated progressive
measures on the part Of the people and
the officials to further the cause. The
address of President Moore on the open
ing day touched fully upon the question
from almost every standpoint.
Many of the illustrations were given up
to the work Of the Southern Railway
good-roads' train. showing roads in North
Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama before
the work and after it was completed. Mr..
NJ A. Hays, of the Southern Railway,
spoke of the relationship between rail-
way TRANSFORMATION and that over the
common highways of the country and of
the effect improved highways would have
on river, rail and water transportation
and of the development of agricultural
regions now at distant points from rail-
road stations. - Z
SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
He explained the interest of President
Samuel Spencer and other officials of the
Southern Railway in the good-roads
movement. showing that the interest of
that company and the people it served
were common. SO far as related to TINS
subject State Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction ]. ". Abcrcrombie DIS
cussed the relationship of public schools 70
the country roads. He made the argu-
rnent that if the school system of Aala-
bama was to be improved there must Ire
first the Improvement of the roads lead
ing to the school-houses
Professor Frederick Dusgar, OF the
State Agricultural and Mechanical School
at Auburn, showed how great an I'M
provment there would be in agricultural
interests, and especially in certain por-
tons of the year by the building Of I'M
proved thoroughfares.
GOVERNORS PROCLAMATION
The convention was participated in by
Governor William D. Jelks of that State,
and Commissioner of Agriculture Poole,
the latter of whom presided at all ses-
sfons. Governor Jelks took enough in
tercst in the arrangements for this and
the other road conventions to issue
proclamation, calling the attention of the
people to the Good-Roads' Conventions.
Up to date. he is the only Governor who
has thus emphasized the Importance of
the road meeting. A State organization
was formed.
The Executive Committee at once made
arrangements to push the work of orsa-
niZation in every county in Alabama.
The Legislature was asked by resolution
to create the Office of Public Highway
Commissioner of the State and to pass
such laws as are needed to further the
interest of improved roads. OF the six
ty-siX counties in Alabama, five of them
have provided for improved highways,
and they now have country road sys-
tens equal to those of any county in
the United States. Montgomery has $50
miles, jefferson 2l5 miles. Madison 40
miles and each of the other counties
long distance Of the best earth and mac
adam roads
LANDS DOUBLE IN VALUE.
Reports from all these counties show
that farm lands had doubled in value
along the improved roadways and that
there had been a large increase in all
farm products.
One ,encorra ging feature of the gath
ering at Montgomery was the presence
of the entire faculty and over four hum
dred students from the State Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College at Auburn,
over 100 miles distant.
AT ATLANTA
The train arrived at Atlanta Monday
morning of this week for the first stop
IN Georgia. and which is the eighth city
to be visited on the present tour, two
stops each having heretofore been made
IN North Carolina and Tennessee and
three in Alabama. An entire weeks
stay was scheduled here, with convention
sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday. The Atlanta road work was
the making of one half-mile of macadam-
lied road and some dirt road on the out
skirts Of Atlanta. on the road leading to
the Soldiers Home.