The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-02

Last May, when the National Good
Roads association met in st. Louis,
Kansas had more delegates than any
other state in the Union, outside OF
Missouri, in attendance. 1t was decid-
ed then and there to start anew to
work up in interests in the building of
highways in this state, and the con-
vention which assembled today is the
opening gun of that movement.
Secretary r. NJ. Richardson of the
National association and also special
agent for the government, in charge OF
a government Good Roads train now
demonstrating at lola, is here and will
make an address at the meeting tonight
which is to be held in the Commercial
club rooms. Mr.. Richardson is one OF
the best versed men in road building in
the world, and when in Topeka last
February he stated that a special eff
fort would be made to work of interest
in Kansas. He is back now for that
specific purpose and in his address to-
organization and enthusiasm inspir-
ing" President L. NJ. Moore of the
National association is also expected to
come from St. Louis tonight and If he
arrives, he will be put on for a joint
speech with Mr.. Richardson. Colonel
Moore was also in Topeka last spring
Asked to briefly outline his ideas as
to what this state should do, Mr. Rich
ardson said: II believe in getting leg
islative aid. L believe in interesting
your representatives in the matter, in
getting them enthused and get the
whole business down to an organized
system backed up by your state. Ev-
erybody must pull together to get re-
suits in a good roads movement. That
is the way to do business. l have a
good roads train in the state now.
Whether 1 can bring it to Topeka or
not just now 1 cannot say, although
a request has been made of me that
1 do so.'
At the meeting in ST. Louis the Kan
sas delegation elected Grant Bilbee,
secretary of the lola Commercial club,
organization. I. D. Graham of To-
peka was made secretary When the
meeting was called to order in Topeka
this morning, both of these officials
were made permanent officers to act
this meeting. Mr.. Bilbee
is a hard worker and great enthusi-
asst on the road building subject. When
asked for a picture of himself to be
story he replied: Haven't had pic
-ure taken for twenty years. Not wor-
rying about it, either. What 1 want
to do is to leave some good roads in
when 1 am gone" And that ended the
interview.
Major t. ]. Anderson gave the ad-
1ress of welcome, and was introduced |
Is notorious for his notoriety.'' The |
major made a rafting good speech \
he cooperation of the Commercial |
,lub to the cause of good roads. Pres |
dent Bilbee responded. Committees |
we're then appointed and adjournment |
AIKEN until 1880 o'clock this afternoon |
% proceed with a discussion of plans /
or future work of the organization |
An interesting feature of the afternoon |
we're addresses by representatives from |
Tomen's clubs in this city which are |
in civic Improvement. They |
lad not been given a regular place |
IN the program and talked on infor-
nal subjects in which they were in
crested.
A letter was read from E. w. Hoch, Re-
publican candidate for governor, who was |
invited to attend the meeting and make an /
ADDRESS. His letter of regret is inter- |
sting and aroused great deal of en-
husiasm among the good roaders' Il
i arS think 1 can be in Topeka to at
,romised in the northwest about that
me | am IN hearty sympathy with the
leXt legislature do something practical to
lelp it along
The committee which were appointed
On Permanent organizat ion-A. G. Nc
,lurg, Kansas City, chairman; W. s.
Williams, Emporia; H. w. McAfee, To-
eka. Il
on Legislation-Matt Brown, Emporia
:. ]. Anderson. Topeka ED Slximmerhorn,
ola; E. r. Nichols. president Kansas Ag-
icultural college; Robert Stone, Topeka:
!. w. Skinner Neodesha; B. J. Sheri-
On Construction and By-Laws-G. w Il
lick, Atchison; D. E Deputy, Manhat-
-rkansas City; Newton Wilson, Enporia
On Resolutions D. Hibner, Oiathe;
Iva Smith, En1poria; DR.. AL Hitchins.
Burlington; w L. Dickson, Overlook; !
'rof. w. A. Tanksley, Peru.
At o'clock tonight the delegates will
e given an automobile ride over the city
D look at the streets and roads adjoining
opeka. The parade" will start in front
f the Copeland hotel and will be in
barge of Col James Chapelle. At 8
clock Wednesday morning the Topeka
.ailway company will take the delegates
yer the city in seeing Topeka car.
was suggested that this was too early :
ut an answer came back that the far f.,
lers who were here were used to getting :
p early and this met with a hearty
you bet