New-York tribune., 1901-11-24
PLAN OF THE HIGHWAY ALLIANCE.
FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF JOHN B.
UHLE PRESIDENT.

II is believed that the Highway Alliance stands
almost alone amid the various good roads asso-
Citations seeking make the most out OF the
existing imperfect roads. and in endeaVor1he ~
unite good roads advocates without supplantlng
rivalling existing organizations In each dlrec-
ton the Highway Alliance is. of course. only car
rying its avowed purpose of increasing the
usefulness OF highways without merely re-
stricting itself to an effort turn each highway
a good road This broad purpose was not lullF
apprehended in the spring of last year. when dls-
cussons of ational highways and through routes
from Maine to Oregon became common 1t then
appeared to likely that really good roads. ana
especially such as would lead from one part OF the
country another, could only be obtained py ap-
peals TO voters with the preliminary plahks In
party platforms and contests between candidates
who would and those who would not pledge theFl-
selves TO road Improvement Eventually 1t was
quite plain that the good roads cause wouo not pe
advanced by such procedure, as no party "ouiu
declare for bad roads while there neither
unity of thought nor of action among the good
roads advocates. The true course appeared to be
avoid weakening any existing organization
while trying to gather those who either were not
enrolled among good roads clubs or were dlssatls-
fed with present efforts. 1t seemed quite feasole
to gather these people together if work could De
offered to them under auspices or in ne"
directions.
There was practical difficulty Persons entire
strangers to each other were to be brought INTO
somewhat confidential relations without great oe-
Law Il appeared that the original idea OF a mere
association must be abandoned and charter oo-
tanned from the State. to asure the members o1 o
escape from personal liability; OF the ID f
of the movement and of good manasen1lenl nj OF % Oi
the means of compelling ii. Some trGuble was en-
countered in deciding upon the methoQS OF cailS 1
ing on the work proposed to be done by the cor cor
poration, but eventually the board OF dlTecIoI s
fixed at nine TO allow OF the e~leClloIL ~ VI
three members each year, thus assuring tb
tive MANAGEMENT. while the performance OF lie
actual work beyond supervision was connded py d
bylaw only recently adopted 20 S- ~
commissions Of members over which the directors
retain that general control necessary 70 Pre'rt. en-
the corporation being committed to obIlSatp
approved by the board of directors. but otaer"lse
leaving a very large margin for freedom IN Ilie
work undertaken. These commissions come INTO
being by the appointment of the president with the
assent board of directors anG IN lls -ii.i
ner local or special bodies be rapidly ORGANIZED
without the delay usual and unavoidable In start
e;eneral membership in the Highway Alliance
shows approval of efforts to increase the uselui-
Costs nothing, causes no liability. exposes TO no
Gives right to complain. suggest or to In
ouire about roads. ,h
Ecity is given to the membership list 49,, -
Gives an opportunity to ocltrlnnte 70 me ne I Ts
peated payments causing loss OF mernpershll oli
non-payment. - - oos ,o.ds
work or any efforts to increase the usefulnes Oh
the roads. .+,, +o-eosine
ratio as the general membership becomes larger,
Is not petitioning for good roads because ~
is a continuous Endorsement OF many dliieien'
efforts Of the Highway Alliance -,
Gives each member the moral support OF alI ilIe
members for any project approved py the oodiu u
Removes the necessity for organizing a good
roads club before undertaking any project thousa
preventing the lorna ION OF any arS -
the work grows Under the bylaws the. oodfo OF
directors may aathoTlae speG1a f the HiewsV Ait
ance with necessary powers affer nTran
izations if desired the members remaining mem
bers Of this organization