The Tupelo journal., 1904-03-18
Mississippi State News
Southern Good Roads Convention.

The improvement of the coun-
try roads in the South gencr-
ally represents a constantly growing
factor in Southern development.
The proposition is not an expert
ment, as history of the known
world is marked by the fact that
great development has always fol-
lowed the improvement of the read
ways through agricultural areas in
all countries OF the globe.
From the Roman highways to the
macadam roads Of New York State,
the development has been compare
lively slow, and particularly so i'll
this country, because of the ire
mendous distances which intervene
between the great commercial GEN.
tiers, and because of the almost in
terminable area utilized by the agri-
cultural and suburban population.
To the South, with its undevel-
oped resources, the question of good
roads is Of paramount importance,
transcending in certain instances
even the potential possibility of
manufacturing, which is more or
less dependent upon the evolution
in agricultural circles and the bring
ing into production of unproducing
fields. No greater or more stimu-
lating influence in this direction
could be devised or set in effect than
the permanent improvement Of the
country roadways.
In addition to fostering building
Improvements in local holdings, the
identifying of homes and proper
Ties, and the interchange Of fra
ternal relations, permanent and
even roadways constitute an ag-
gressive factor in making commune
ties prosperous, intelligent and
strenuous.
The New Orleans Progressive
Union, the largest popular CONNER
clal organization in the United
States, has, at the instigation of the
National Good Roads Association,
undertaken the organization of the
Southern Good Roads Convention,
which will be held in the city of
New Orleans April 6 and z.
The propositions involved in
roads, road making, and the inhu-
ence Of this improvement upon COM
munity life will be dealt with ex-
haustively by speakers familiar with
the subject.
Delegates will be solicited from
the States of Alabama, Texas, Ten
nessee, Mississippi and Louisiana,
and letters will be addressed by the
Progressive Union, in conjunction
with the governor Of Louisiana,
mayor of the city of New Orleans,
National Good Roads Association
and the commercial exchanges of
New Orleans to commercial organi-
cations, m~ayoralties, county COM
missioners and officials of the five
States mentioned. These infu-
ences will be entitled to nominate
delegates to the New Orleans Good
Roads Convention, and the railroads
east of the Mississippi river and
south Of the southern border of
kentucky, and Louisiana and Texas
west of the Mississippi have made
an abnOrmally low rate to apply for
the convention dates. This rate
will be but slightly in excess of one
fare for the round trip, and will be
an open rate to delegates and to the
public desiring to take advantage of
same.
President Roosevelt, Secretary
Wilson, of the agricultural depart
ment, and Secretary Cortelyou, of
the department of commerce and la
Dor, have been memoralized in con-
n%ection with the convention and in
vlted to be present. Hon. Martin
Dodge, director Of roads for the ag-
ricultural department, will be in at
tendance, as will President W. Fl.
Moore, of the National Good Roads
Association, and several members of
the executive committee.
The good roads agitation at the
present time will undoubtedly lead
to action by the legislature of the
various States getting in line to take
advantage of the national assistance
which will be accorded to States in
the provisions of several measures
now before the national congress
and which will undoubtedly induce |
a large appropriation by the nation
al government to be applied to the
various States, in proportion to their
own enterprise and appropriations
for road building and development.
Inverness Incorporated.
Gov. Vardaman issued his procla-