The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-06
CONFERENCE ON The
MATTER OF GOOD
ROADS
Vital Questions to Be Con-
sidered at the international
Gathering at Detroit Next
Week-SenatOrs and Con
gressmen Booming the
Cause.

DETROIT, Mich, Feb. 5.-The inter
national conference on good roads, to
be held in connection with the annual
meeting of the American Road Makers
here, Feb. 10 and Il, bids fair to be the
most important meeting of its kind
ever held. Several governors, besides
Gov. Bliss, of Michigan, have accepted
Invitations to be present and take part
Several hundred delegates have been
appointed by about a score OF gov
errors, and it is expected that every
state in the Union will be represented.
A score of congressman and senators
have accepted the invitation TO be
present.
The Trunk Line association has
granted special rates to the members
of this conference and to the members
of the American Road Makers, which
means that transportation will be fur
nished TO all such at the rate of fare
and third
The interstate highway BILL the
BroWnloW bill the latter now before
congress; the convict labor state aid
and state instruction bills, are all ques-
tions of prime Importance which will
be thoroughly discussed by the leading
officials and representatives of the va
rious states. together with diStin
guished good roads advocates in the
United States and from the Dominion
of Canada.
Opinions of congressman.
There have been many expressions
from congressman and senators favor
ing the project, but who will be una
Voidably detained at Washington on
the date OF the meeting.
Charles S. Weisse, congressman,
Sixth district, Wisconsin. said in his
reply: 81 will attend if possible. [ am
in favor Of this move and good roads
is the best paying investment any dis
trict can make
II am heartily in favor Of anything
which will further the construction and
maintenance of good roads in the
United States" remarks Congressman
elect William H. Wiley, of New Jersey
in responding to the invitation. This
appeals to me not only as a citizen
but also as an engineer, in which pro-
fession l have spent many years of my
life, and am more or less familiar with
road construction. There is no reason
why we should not have them, unless
1t is because Of the Indifference of peO-
pie in general to matter of public
interest of this kind.
THE farmers, of all men throughout
the West, should be foremost in the
promotion of any plan of this kind. The
contract Of the condition of many OF
our Western roads with those in other
countries is so great that it seems they
should not have been neglected even
most pleased to cooperate in any way
in the matter, but other enga cement:
will prevent my attendance. You may
feel sure that any measure of this kin(
which comes before the Fifty eight
congress will receive most careful con
sideratiOn at my hands. I wish yOl
success in this movement for the bene
fit of the country at large"
Congressman A. G. Foster, Of Ia
coma, Wash; says: Il wish you anC
the other Road Makers to know that
am in hearty sympathy with the gen
eral movement and the general plan
and scope of the Good Roads assOcia
ton throughout the country"
Only One of Its Kind.
The American Road Makers associa
ton is a unique organization of it
kind, as it is the only one having a linn
tied and paid membership. There ca
be but ten members from each state
The membership is limited SO as
provide for equal representation q
every state and territory, and at tn
same time prevent any possible domi
nance of the organization by any on
section of the country in the future
Because of the limitation, it cost some
thing to join and something to main
tain membership. Amendments I
the constitution will be submitted 6
the Detroit meeting providing for stat
auxiliary associations, in order to a6
NIT the hundreds of good roads advC
Gates who have been clamoring fC
admission. In this way the nation;
organization will be enabled to call I
its aid a large number of infiuenti;
good road advocates throughout til
country, and thereby increase it's pow