Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-06-27
Good Roads Convention Held in
Lexington Saturday

the auspices Of the National Goo
Roans Association, although tn
attendance was not large. Tn
meeting occurred at time whel
farmers were in the midst Of thei
wheat harvest, and in consequence
very few were able to be present
The convention resulted, however
in emphasizing the needs Of bette
roads, and in the organization CT
county association.
The meeting was called to ordel
Saturday morning at 1890 O'CLOCK
in the Courthouse by Mayor Samuc
B. Walker, Jr., chairman of the
executive committee. Rev. DR.
Charles Manly made the invoca
ton. Addresses of welcome or
behalf of the town and county
respectively, were made by DR.
George H. Denny and Mr.. Frank
T. Glasgow. Both gentlemen were
emphatic in their insistence on
better roads for Rockbridge.
Col. w. H. Moore, president OF
the National Good Roads Associa
ton, was next presented, and de-
livered an interesting and instruc-
tive address on "The National
Good Roads Movement" The
national association was organized
in Missouri II years ago, and since
that time the officers Of the asso-
citation have visited all parts of the
county, lecturing On the move
ment, and have built sample roads
in 80 States. Colonel Moore ad-
vccated State highway CON-
mission, State and government aid
in the construction of roads, special
road taxes on railroad and other
corporations, and the utilization
of Migrants end criminals in the
building of roads. AS to the
importance of good roads to rural
com NJ unities, the speaker stated
that 90 pei cent of agricultural
products on being sent to market
must go over the primary or coun-
try roads while only 10 per cent
goes by water or rail direct.
The morning session concluded
with the appointment of the fol-
lowing committees: (D Permanent
Organization: Prof. d. G. Hum
phreys, Messrs. G. A. Jones, CA.
Brady, f. L. McClung and II. f.
Moore. (2) Resolutions; Messrs'
NJ. w. Paxton. G. D. Letcher.
Frank Moore, Daniel Welsh and j.
NJ. Quisenbei ry.
The afternoon session was opened
at $3.50 o'clock. The first business
was the report of tie committees.
The committee on permanent
organization reported the follow
ing officers for the first year, and
they were UNANIMOUSLY elected:
President, j. Med. Adair; first
vice-president,C. ALREADY; second
president, j. j. L Kinnear;
secretary, A. Nelson Myers;
treasurer s. O. Campbell. The
following district vice presidents
were also elected: Lexington dis
trict, j. H. Whitmore; Natural
Bridge, N. A. Rees; Kerr's Creek,
JOHN Teaford; Buffalo, w. A.
Tribbett; South River, j. II. elias
gov: Walkers Greek, RIG. Mitch
ell.
The committee on resolutions
brought in u report declaring for
better roads and calling upon the
Town Council of Lexington and
the Board of Supervisors of Rock
bridge to devise some plan whereby
some portion of macadam road can
be constructed each yesr, thus
gradually extending the benefits
to all parts of the county. The
full report is published elsewhere.
Addresses at this session were
made by Mr.. E. A. Schubert,
travelling agent Of the agricultural
and Industrial department of the
Norfolk and Western Railroad,
Capt. William Bradburn, consult
ing engineer, and Col. TIP. Rixey,
lie sturer of the National Good
Roads Association. Mr., Schubert
said the Norfolk ana Western was
greatly interested in good roads,
and had made large contributions
for the same. He pledged the good
offices of his road in the improve
ment of public highways through
Rockbrldge.
Captain Bradburn is recognized
as an expert in road and street
building, and his address, Practical
Read and Street Construction"
was listened to with interest. lie
gave detailed account of the con-
struction of macadam roads and
streets. The essentials for GOOD
roads he said were easy grade,
foundation, rounded
roadbed with fullness in the center,
and proper drainage. The last
mentioned, proper drainage, he
specially emphasized.
Colonel Rixey made a stirring
appeal for the Improvement of the
public highways from the stand
point of the farmer, because these
improvements mean more for the
comfort and happiness OF tie
residents of country than of the
town. A most excellent paper was
read by Mr.. A. L. Barclay, who |