Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-10-13
FOB GOOD ROADS
STATE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN
FORMED.
Result of the Two Days Convention
At Seattle...Samuel Hill Presi.
dent.--LOcal Organizations Form.
ed in Mostly All Western COun.
ties.

Seattle, Oct. 11.-From the good
roads convention has emanated the
Washington Good Roads cassoiation,
which has for its objet the extension OF
better systems of highways throughout
this state. Samuel Hill, whose iaflu-
ence was material in bringing the good
roads party here, is president of the
newly formed organization, and James
3. Meikle, secretary of the Seattle
chamber of commerce, the secretary.
The third state officer is N. B. Coffman
of Chehalis, who was elected treasurer.
In nearly all the counties of Western
Washington presidents of local organ
izations were chosen, who also will be
vice presidents of the state association.
This is the beginning of substantial
benefit which will result to the people
of Washington through the visit of the
representatives. of the government in
behalf of the god roads movement.
Thus will lasting benefit be conferred
upon the state, as those who have at
tended the sessions of the convention
are determined to make use of the many
and helpful suggestions in road build
ing and in the value of concentrated
effort which have Deen offered them by
the various speakers to whom they
have listened.
The commissioners 60 from here to
Portland, where they will probably re-
main for week. The next stop is at
Boise, Idaho, and that Is the beginning
of their homeward trip, as the season
is too far advanced to preach good roads
with the best results.
Seattle, Oct. 10.-In spite of the fail
ure of the weather man to cooperate
with the crusade for good roads now be-
ing started in Seattle, goodly number
of local residents and out of town visit
ors met at Little's hall for the opening
session of the convention. The princi-
pal feature of interest at the opening
session was the talk of Martin Dodge,
who is in charge of the good roads
work being done by the government.
The possibilities of government aid in
the construction of roads was pointed
out by Mr.. Dodge by analogy with the
government work in river and harbor
improvements. From an appropriation
of sec, 900 in 1860 this fund had been
increased until $40, 1000, 900 was carried
by the last rivers and harbors bill. If
the people of the country make it plain
that they wish public money used in
the development of good roads Mr..
Dodge thinks that congress would re-
spond generously in appropriations for
that purpose. The visit of the commits
sion to the Pacific coast, Mr.. Dodge said,
was made possible by the increase in
the appropriation, made upon the flour
of the house through the efforts of
Thomas H. Tongue, representative from
Oregon; and the route through the
Northwest which has brought the COM
mission to Seattle was determined upon
largely through the insistence of Sam
uel Hill of this city, who would have
the commission in Seattle, and would
not be denied.
Mr.. Dodge also quoted prophecy of
President Garfield as to the Pacific
Coast. Garfield once declared his be-
lief. said Mr.. Dodge, that as the cities
and civilization of modern times that
center about the Atlantic ocean are
greater than the civilization that CEN
tered about the Mediterranean as the
Atlantic ocean is greater than the Med
iterranean sea, so the civilization of the
future that shall center about the Pa.
cific will be greater than the present as
the Pacific is greater than the Atlantic.