The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-26
ROUNTREE WRITES
AN '"OPEN LETTER"
GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION ASKS
STATE CAMPAIGN SPEAKERS TO
TALK FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
RESOLUTION OF COMMITTEE.

The Alabama Good Roads association is
making an active campaign to get the
next legislature of Alabama to create a
good roads commission, and also to make
roads in the different counties. A bill pro-
viding for said appropriation and COM
mission will be drafted and submitted to
the people by the executive committee
of the Good Roads association. Secretary
J. A. Rountree has sent the following
"open letter. to Hon. j. Craig Smith.
chairman of the democratic campaign
committee urging him to have the dem
ocratic speakers to discuss the subject
of good roads during the next two weeks.
Mr.. Rountree writes as follows:
Birmingham, October %. 1906.
Hon. J. Craig Smith, Chairman Democrat
ic Campaign Committee. Montgomery.
Ala:
Dear Sir-Having for it's object the
arousing and educating of the people on
the subject of good roads, the Alabama
Good Roads association. composed of over
300 delegates from over forty-odd coun-
ties in Alabama, assembled in Birming-
ham on October II.
The subject of good roads and how to
obtain them was thoroughly discussed,
and resolution was unanimously adopt
ed asking the next legislature of Ala
hama to enact a complete body of road
laws, providing funds for road building,
the better care of public roads, and the
creation of a commission to have the SUI
pervision and administration of the road
laws of the state.
To-, lsnt.,
association, representing the taxpayers
and the people of the state, I most re-
specially ask you to give instructions to
your campaign speakers to discuss the
subject of good roads in their speeches
throughout the state, believing that no
more important subject is before the peo-
pie of Alabama today than that of good
roads how to build and maintain them.
In making this request, I most respect
fully call your attention to the resolu-
ton thereto attached that was unani-
mously adopted by the state democratic
convention. which convened in Montgom-
cry In September in which 1t declares
itself in favor of "the building of good
roads and highways throughout the state
of Alabama" Also in favor of "the lib
eral appropriation by the incoming legis-
lature to aid the counties of the state In
building good roads,
iiOPibb lhdl liliS ltlutSL Will meet your
hearty approval, and that you will com
ply with the same, I am. yours very re-
specially, J. A. ROUNTREE
Secretary Alabama Good Roads Associa-
ton.
Following Is the resolution adopted by
the state democratic executive commit
tee in convention held at Montgomery in
September:
ia.
tillable lands of this state that Is I'M
populated and uncultivated, with the ten
dency of migration away from the farms
and towards the cities, by reason of the
lack of good public roads; and
Whereas, Good roads would turn the
tide of migration into the rural districts,
help to build up the country schools and
churches, afford facilities whereby free
mail delivery can be extended and great
ly aid in the development of our state
and in the march of civilization there
FORE be 1t
Resolved, First, that we favor the
building of good roads and highways
throughout the state of Alabama. Second.
tAat we favor as liberal appropriation by
the state legislature as the treasury can
bear without interfering with the appro-
priations to the Confederate soldiers and
schools, to aid the counties of the state in
building good roads. Third, that the SEN
ators and representatives in Congress
from Alabama be. and they are instruct
ed. to use their best endeavors to obtain
an appropriation by Congress to aid in
the construction of good roads.