Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-07-27

association came to Brattleboro last Mon
day to introduce here the objects and
methods of this association and to start
local movement in behalf of its work
The association as an organized body dates
from the year 1900, when delegates APP
pointed by the governors of 80 states and
territories met in convention in Chicago
and perfected an organization in behalf
of better highways for all parts of the
country. Almost 20 years of personal
work by individuals had preceded this
final organization, the purpose being to
show the people the need of good roads,
the benefits they would confer, and the
measures necessary to secure them. The
movement has no partisan or political
motive or bearing, and Is directed solely
toward its professed end-the improve
ment of all our highways. Since the for
NAL organization at Chicago in 1900 the
association has grown to a membership
of nearly half million. Its permanent
headquarters are in st. Louis.
The association has from the first re-
ceived the hearty cooperation of the
railroads. All the trunk lines of the
Middle and Western states furnished spe-
cial trains to cover their territory with
an educational and object-lesson equip
ment to show the people the commercial
advantages that good roads would bring.
Nearly all the states in the Union have
been visited, and good roads conventions
have been held in some 240O of the 5000
counties in the country. Ohio was the
last state thus covered and organized.
Since then President w. II. Moore and
his organizers and assistants have been
at work in Virginia, but on account of
the intense heat they dropped the work
there for the time being and came to
Vermont, and from here will go to New
Hampshire. Bennington county was first
visited. A successful county convention
was held in Bennington and Hon. o. NJ.
Barber was elected president of the local
association.
The officials of the national association
have received a cordial reception in Brat
tleboro. Tuesday afternoon they were
taken in automobiles to see the present
condition of our streets and outlying
highways. In the evening a meeting of
the board of trade was held in Festival
hall. 40 or more members being present.
Vice President c. f. GRAHAM presided and
introduced Col. w. H. Moore and Hon.
Wellington f. Loucks of st. Louis. presi-
dent and national organizer respectively
of the National Good Roads association.
Both spoke informally, but at some
length, and both complimented Brattle-
boro on it's varied attractions. Col.
Moore told how the national organiza-
ton came to be formed, of it's work in
different states and particularly of the
legislation in behalf of good roads which
1t had secured. He spoke of the need OF
having the work in charge of men who
understand it scientifically. in the man
ner in which an architect understands the
construction of buildings.
Mr.. Loucks said they had been in Vir-
ginia, but being driven out by the heat
had come to Vermont as one of the
northern states they had not visited. He
laid emphasis on the fact that there was
no politics in the movement, as some had
intimated. He spoke of the organization
which had been effecued in Bennington
recently. 1t is hoped to have organic
atoms formed in eight or ten counties
of the state and then to have a state
meeting in Montpelier the opening week
Of the legislature. He said Brattleboro
must know what organization means
when 1t has a firm which Is the largest
distributor of boots and shoes in New
England and savings banks which carry
larger deposits than any town Of its size
in the country. He explained the neces-
sity of having fund Of $3.50 to secure
the speakers and other workers for the
meeting at which county organization
would be formed, and stated THAI Mr..
j. G.. Bradburn, Mr.. Moore's secretary,
would remain here to cooperate with the
local committee In arranging plans for
the public meeting, etc. He pointed out
what was needed in the way of state aid
and urged the attendance hore of state
officials.
On motion of w. H. Vinton it was
voted 10 extend to the officials of the
national association an invitation to hold
a good roads convention here. and this
was voted unanimously. Charles A. Har-
ris moved that the chairman appoint an
executive committee of seven in addition
to the president and secretary of the
board of trade to arrange for the meet
ing and Mr.. GRAHAM named c. A. Harris,
w. H. Vinton, John Calvin, M. j. Mo-
ran, L. +. Adams, G. w. Durham and
F. r. Vaughan, but the latter declined
owing to his plan for being away, and
c. c. Fits was substituted in his place.
Chairman e. c. GRAHAM and Secretary
George e. Fox are members of the COM
mittee, ex-officio.
It appeared to be the sense of the meet
ing that the convention be held Saturday,
August 4, but later it was discovered
that this was the date Of the fusion
county convention and the date was
changed to Tuesday August 7. The ex-
ecutive committee will appoint reception,
invitation, finance and arrangement com
mittees.
The invitation to attend this convention
is general, and it is the wish that every
person in Windham county who feels an
interest in the betterment of our home
conditions should feel himself specially
invited to come. There are no people
more vitality interested in good roads than
are the farmers. Col. Moore and his as
sociates hope also for the presence of the
women at the meetings on August Z, be-
cause in very many of the states and
counties the women have taken up and
advanced the good roads work through
their own clubs and in other ways.
Meetings will be held morning, afternoon
and evening. The objects in view will be
explained at the morning session, in the
afternoon speakers will tell how to build
good roads, and in the evening the stere-
opticon will be brought into use to illus
trate and enliven the theme.
J. G. Bradburn, the secretary to the
president of the national association, will
remain in Brattleboro until after our
county convention is held, and will be
glad to meet any of our people and to
answer any enquiries or give any help
possible on the good roads question. Mr.
Bradburn may be found at the office of
Mr.. Fox. the secretary Of the board of
trade
Program Of the Good Roads Convention.
The program of the convention to be
held Aug. Z, as now arranged, VIII be
substantially as follows:
The convention will be called to or
der at 10 a. m. and Rev. Mr.. Osgood
will offer the invocation. G. o. Rob
bins, president of the Brattleboro board
of trade, will extend a welcome in be-
half of the town, followed by ]. G. Day
president of the Bellows Falls board Of