Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-27
Good Roads Likely to Be q Lead
ing Topic in the Legisla-
trre.
ADVANTAGES POINTED OUT
President Moore of national Associa.
tiOn says That Competent Mum
nHement Is the First Requisite
-Organizcr I,oucks Ex-
plains Earth Roads.

The sessions of the Chittenden County
;ood Roads convention opened Thurs
lay morning few minutes aften ten
l'clock In the city hall. The meeting was
Vailed to order by Mayor J. +. Burke,
md u fitting invocation was pronounced
~ the Rev. J. II. George. In his address
If welcome the mayor stated that he had
FEVER introduced and welcomed an as
iembiage to this city which meant more
- the best interests OF the State than
lie present. He suggested that good
'oads should be the paramount issue in
he coming session of the Legislature,
arcastically stating thnt he considered
egislation along this line of fully
'qual Importance with questions OF the
rlosed season for hunting and fishing.
That this movement was of greatest inn
portance to business men, that ii would
promote the neighborly feeling between
!ty and country. and finally accomplish
1 better and greater Vermont was his
irm belief.
In behalf of the Commercial club, w.
J. Van Patten welcomed the members of
HE national association. He spoke of the
purposes of the club and of its especial
interest in the subject of road improve
ment. He considered that commercial
Interests demand that the avenues OF APP
proach to this city he in the best possible
condition, referring to the necessary adj
aitional expense of hauling produce over
poor roads which necessarily increased
he price to consumers. The advantages
received from Improvement IN the high
way as n great factor in adding beauty
and attractiveness to the city, which in
the end benefited not only the resident
but also tho business interests, were
dwelt upon IT was his opinion that the
highway appropriation should not "be
FILTERED away in the small towns" but
hat an expenditure by counties might
be advisable
Ex-Gov j. |. Barstow. rs representative
IF the county. opened his speech with a
short account of some Of his own work
during the past fifty years. He spoke of
l former meeting held in Burlington for
he same purpose during the admnistra-
ion of Governor Stickney, and stated that
the enthusiasm then ran so high that one
farmer suggested an appropriation for
roads which would haxe exceeded the
entire grand list. but after serious calcu-
lation modified it little Upon the con-
aition that corporations could be taxed
upon the same basis individuals he
Jaw no objection to increasing the APP
. ,roprIation for highways.
PRESIDENT MOORE'S ADDRESS.
The present president of the Nation
al Good Roads association, Col. w. H.
Moore, delivered a most forceful and
mastery address. After compliment
Ing the former speakers he spoke of
burlington as the wealthicst and most
beautiful city in the state, commended
Its progress along the lines of indus
try and paid special tribute to the
local press.
He praised the highway management
In this city. placing it as the ideal for
tho rest of the state, and stating that
few mistakes had been made here. The
reason for this was undoubtedly the
fact that the city had employed n com
petent engineer, while in the smaller
towns a large portion. probably seven =
.y-nve per cent. Of the appropriation
was wasted through unskilled manage
nent. Since competent management is
The first requisite, he hoped that the
1ext Legislature would create an office
" a state highway commissioner and
IN assistant, and allow them a respect
ible salary, not require the holder OF
luch Office to furnish even his own Ink,
rs he must do at present. Under such
supervision he considered expenditure