Bismarck daily tribune., 1903-05-20

gives the following graphic account of
the great National Convention for good
roads at st. Louis:
mo more successful convention was
ever held in the interest of any indus
trial movement than the good roads
convention that was held in ST. Louis
from April 9th to the goth, inclusive.
In the number and intelligence OF its
delegates, in its enthusiasm and work
ing capacity, in it's unanimity and sim
gleness of purpose. in the number Of
able speakers and freedom from parti.
san or political influences, it was sell
dom If ever equaled.
Two thousand delegates from nearly
every state and territory in the union
attended the convention. From the
first day to the last the most dominat-
ing idea was the necessity of govern
ment aid in the construction of rural
routes-government aid to be condi.
toned upon an equal amount Of local
aid as set forth in the Browniow bill.
All the speakers, with the exception
of one or two, dwelt upon this idea.
and the laundering applause that fol-
lowed each speaker left no room for
doubt as to the sentiment of the con-
vention on this point.
The best evidence, however, was in
the adoption Of the declaration of prin-
ciples and resolutions on the last day
of the meeting. There was not a dis
sentingg voice in that large assem-
blage. The declaration of principles
as set forth asserted that the building
of good roads in the United States is
now of paramount importance to ma
tional prosperity and commercial su-
premacy; that the harmonious COOP
Grafton of township. county, state and
national governments is needed in fur
therance of this end; that though the
appropriations hitherto made by con-
gress for the improvement of the rivers
and harbors were beneficent and CON-
mendable, yet the time has come when
the agricultural districts should be as
sisted in the matter of building high
ways, so that the dement's of the free
mail delivery may be extended and
thus promote higher order of citizen
ship and also meet the ever-growing
necessities of the great agricultural
interests of the country, upon which
its prosperity and growth depend.
The establishment throughout the
United States of complete and per-
feet organization for this purpose was
recommended, and the delegates as
sembled were made representatives of
the national organization of the Good
Roads Association to carry forward
this local organization. The work of
the Office of public road inquiries was
endorsed, and the sense of the conven-
tion was that its opportunities should
be enlarged and its usefulness extend.
ed by larger appropriation.
The principle of state and county
cooperation was commended, and it
was more than once emphasized that
it is as much the duty of the general
government to assist in the building of
highways as it is to improve the rivers
and harbors.
The resolution favoring national aid
is to be presented to the congress of
the United States by a committee com.
posed of one member from each state,
to be selected by the secretary of the
National Good Roads Association. The
building of the Memorial road from
Monticello to the University of Vir-
ginia in honor of Thomas Jefferson,
who signed the first bill for the con-
structiOn of national highway on
March 29, 1906, was unanimously ap-
proved and endorsed by the conven-
ton.
Among the most distinguished
speakers at the convention were Presi-
dent Roosevelt, William ]. Bryan, Sen.
atOr Latimer of s. c. and Governor
Cummins, of Iowa. Mr.. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Bryan both spoke of the necessity
of building better highways for the
nation, and though neither committed
himself to the proposition of advocat.
ing government aid, yet the inference
was clear that both would favor such
expenditures. Senator Latimer made
strong and unanswerable argument
in favor Of government aid. There will
be no more earnest worker for good
roads in the next congress than Sena.
tor Latimer
The President made some good
points. Among other things, he said
1T is the habit of road building that
gives to a people permanent greatness
"The development of the iron road
has been all that one could wish, but
it is more presumptious to consider
good railwavs nc suhstitutoc for GOOD