Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
MAYATTENDMEETING
Ottumwans Invited to ATTEND
Good Roads Convention.
TO BE HELD At ST. LOUIS SOON
Commercial Association Requested to
Select Five Delegates to Attend
Meeting for Purpose of Devisins
Plans for Betterment of Roads.

The Ottumwa Commercial associa-
ton has been requested to select
committee of five to attend the nation
al and international good roads con-
vention, to be held at st. Louis, Mo-,
April 81 to May 2, and a meeting will
be held soon to discuss the advisa-
bility of sending a representation to
the meeting. The office of public road
inquiries of the United States depart
ment OF agriculture has united with
the National Good Roads association,
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Co.,
the state and county officials of Mis-
souri,, the officials of the city of st.
Louis and the many commercial bod
les and railway organizations in call
ing the convention for the purpose of
discussing some means to better the
conditions of the public roads and to
the end that 1owans may become IN
terested proclamation was recently
issued by Governor A. B. Cummins,
asking that a committee of five be
appointed in each city to attend the
convention. The following invitation
was received by Secretary ]. II. Nit
chell of the Commercial association
from the president of the National
Good Roads association:
Dear Sir:
1--WE have the honor to present the
official invitation to yourself and mem
| bers of your association to attend the
| National and International Good Roads
| convention to be held in the city OF
| st. Louis, April 81 to May 2, 1902.
1--WE respectfully request you to ap-
u ;,,t sion Nf at lpaSf tVG
members Of your business organiza
ton to this convention
Modern experience has demonstrate
ed that to secure an adequate system
of durable roads there must be active
cooperation of the commercial anc
agricultural interests. Business mer
are directly and materially interested
! in this subject, for it has command
4 ing influence upon trade and traffic
/ Good roads mean even and unlnter
rupted trade for the merchant and bust
ness man the year round. The meth
DDS pursued of leaving the road con
i struction and maintenance to the rur
I al districts has not been successful, IL
i fact. it is unjust and negotiable tt
4 Law the entire cost of road improve
ment upon the agricultural classes
The business men have an equal, II no
a greater interest than the farmers II
improving country roads. We are ap
pealing for the active support of thu
business men of the country and mos
\ respectfully urge your cooperation.
j "This convention will be the mos
important ever convened for consid
4 Grafton of this subject and promises t.
be widespread in its influence TO
!; practical results. The dedicatory ser
vices of the louisiana Purchase Expo
sition will occur during the same weel
following the sessions of this conven
tiontion. The railroads have givel
an open rate OF one fare round trip t
ST. Louis, tickets on sale April 26 an
good returning May A.
1.-THE president and secretary of you
association are members ex of1icio Q
the convention. We trust that you vii
comply with the above request in nam
ing a commission at once and fol
ward the names to us, also that 70
will attend and take part in the delibel
atoms of the convention"