The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-10-22

a public sentiment that is crystalliz-
ing into betterment OF the public
highways to an extent that is most
gratifying to the good roads enthusi-
asst. Many States which have failed
to make any appropriation for the i'm
provement of roads in the past year
yielded to the public demand and
made for them liberal approprin-
tons The good example of Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey.
New York and other States is bearing
fruit. In the aggregate. including the
small appropriation made by the Gov
eminent, millions of dollars have
been set aside for the betterment of
the country roads during this year
Canada is by no means laggard.
but rather well in the lead, when all
things are considered. for she has nm
propriated $1,00O,OOO to be expended
upon the improvement of the high
ways during the season.
The good roads train which has
been touring the South during the last
three months. was made up at Chi.
cago through the cooperation OF the
National Association of Good Roads.
the Illinois Central Railroad and sew
eral manufacturers of road-mal5ing
machinery. The train started from
Chicago on April 20, equipped with
eight carloads of the best and most
important roadmaking machinery. ex-
pert operators, roadmakers and en-
gineers. arriving in New Orleans on
April 90.
The following week an object les
son road, about two miles in length
was built in the suburbs of New Or
leans, over n low plain, formerly sub
Ject TO overflow. 1t was desirable to
raise the roadbed higher than usual
10 get above the action of the water
which softens the surface of the road
so rapidly; therefore. earth handling
machinery was used to advantage
The New Era grader, propelled by
twelve animals, was first put upon
the work, and earth was transferred
from the sides to the centre. at the
rate Of four cubic yards per minute.
Within the short space OF two DAVIS
the undisturbed earth was trans
formed into a smoothly finished road
way, over which automobiles could
pass with perfect ease.
During the week q State convention
assembled for two days I'm pursuance
of a proclamation issued by the Gov
ernor of Louisiana. Every parish of
the State was well represented. there
being about one thousand delegates
IN attendance. AS a result of this
convention permanent State organ
ization was formed, which will oper-
ate in cooperation with the national
association. to carry on the work al
ready so well begun.
On the first of May the train left
New Orleans for Natchez. Miss
where 1t remained q week building
another object lesson road and hold
ing district convention for two DAVIS
at the close of which a permanent or
ganization was formed for CARRYING.
on the work i'm that vicinity. and for
the purpose of cooperating with the
State association, afterward formed
at Jackson, Miss, and the national as
ISOLATION, formed last November ot
Chicago. We had here the hearty
cooperation of the city and the county
authorities, the object lesson road be.
ing built partly within and partly
without the city OF Natchez.
Our next stand was at Greenvillc
MISS where we arrived on May is.
This is in the midst of the famous
Hazoo Delta. The soil is an alIuyial
deposit, subject to overflow and in
undation. A portion OF this soil Is
known as "buckshot land" and is OK
ceedingly difficult to handle and more
difficult to retain i'm the form of
smooth roadbed. 1t was doubted
whether the earth-handling machinery
50 successful i'm other soils. would ne
able to handle this peculiar buckshot
formation but our efforts were
crowned with success, and we left
them an object lesson of great value
in the form of smooth. well rounded
roadbeds, raised well above the water
level We also had a very successful
tWo-doy convention, which ternin
ated with the organization Of a per
manent association for the improve
ment Of highways
i left the train temporarily at this
point. and the next stand was made
at Granada and another at NfcComb
City, and from McCOmb they went to
Cambridge, after which the great cor.
yention was held at Jackson. Miss
where au object lesson road was built
as at each of the other places Tbo
state convention was probably fbe
largest and most successful of any
road convention ever assembled i'm
America and resulted fin permanent
organization for the entire state.
From Jackson, Miss, the train went
to Jackson, Tenn. where similar
program vas carried out The uoyf
great st"nd was mt Louisville. Ky.
where ] again Joined the train on
june 2f The Governor of Kentucky
had issued DIS proclamation for tba
state convention to- be held here st
this time and continue two days This
was well attended by eminent men
from all parts of the State. and was
one or the best conventions ever held
in the interest OF good roads Governor
beckham was present and delivered
an address full of encouragement for
the cause and urging the people to- I'm.
dustriol activity. A fine object lesson
road was produced here Just outside
the city limits. and n permanent or.
ganizatlOn formed for the purpose of
carrying on the work in connection
with the national association