The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-07

leNe Lnat ms SOOO luck VIII SllCk ny hlih
and that it will only be a few weeks I'M
til he is smashing records again
the hotel in Tuscaloosa, but | love him be-
cause he is catching the same sort OF
religion / have had from infancy
These were the words of Samuel Hill,
president Of the Washington (State) Good
Roads association, good roads religionist,
railroad builder, railroad president finan-
eier good roads reigionist, engineering
architect, globe trotter good roads re-
ligionist, philanthropist and good roads
religionist.
He came all the way from Seattle to
wish Captain Hobson God speed in his
work in the Sixth district, paying his
own expenses because he believes in good
roads everywhere
During a residence in France Mr. Hill
made careful study of roads and road
building He did the same thing In Eng
lard and Germany
He is the head of a movement that is
giving Washington system of good pub
lie highways that are unexcelled by any
state in the union. Everywhere he goes
he does and says something for the work
and he makes 1t his business to go wher-
ever there is work to do.
1.-THE roads of a country are its gauges
recording the enterprise or the backward
ness of nation. More people are affect
ed by the public highways than any 9TH
err means of transportation More than
ninety per cent Of the country's commerce
Is conducted at one time or another over
the dirt roads of the country
There are in the United States $4,000
miles of railroad trackage. not counting
second rail; with the second trackage we
Apa Ia fbfo W. baN
in the United States 100000 miles of
public highway or dirt roads. The con-
dition of these roads affect the peoples
PROSPERITY more than any other agency
and for this reason every citizen should
be a good roads religionist
"Out in Washington we went to work
in earnest and our success Is attested by
every visitor to that state. We went
first to the legislature after a good pub
lie sentiment had been developed and Sc
cured the necessary laws to help us In
putting our ideas into execution. 1t oolS
some hard and careful work in the be-
ginning to get the enterprise properly
launched, but the success that has al
ready been attained is more than encour-
aging.
Good roads, well built, last forever.
and no state or community can have a
better asset for all time to come.
1.-THE enterprise attempted by Congress
man Hobson is something new and unique.
The effort stands alone in the catalogue
of public benefactlons, but | consider 1t
one of the greatest movements ever at
tempted by member of congress. The
work promises some real benefit to the
people of this district and I am sure that
It will be copied by congressman In every
section of the country. I am sure that
the effort on the part of Capt. Hobson
to better the internal condition of the
Sixth district will be appreciated byt his
constituents.
"He is bringing the brains of the fed
eral government into requisltion to dc
service for the farmers of this section
free of all cost. The most important
subjects with which the bureau of agri-
culture deals viii be treated by the best
men In each department, including soil
analysis, timber, cotton culture, road
building and rural mail delivery
While with the party today Mr. Hill
made several speeches on the building
of good roads which were listened to
with great interest by the people.
Notes BY the Way.
At a conference of the party at the
Hotel de Alice last night when a pro-
gramme for today was being formulated
taken at Aliceville just after the morn
ing service or at Carrollton after the
drive to that place.
Mr.. Hall, the forestry or tree man,
as he Is called by Captain Hobson, re
Numbering a most excellent supper he
had Just enjoyed, made prompt appeal In
favor of Aliceville. The other member:
of the party joined in this sentiment
But Captain Hobson, with a far-awaS
contemplative expression under his heavy
brow said, slowly: Boys, in the dining
room at the hotel at Carrollton I remem-
Der one of these large circular tables, G
two-story affair, which reyolves, not that
portion that holds your plate, but the
| food.
THE top story, which is just elevated
a few inches, is always loaded with good
| things, and as it goes round and round
yo. help yourself to as many takings
as you choose l like 1t"
Good, exclaimed Financier Hill o.
Seattle.
Lets" chirped Mr.. Lancaster, the
"You are bully" cried Mr.. Ronsteel, the
soil man.
That's the dinctum," said Mr.. Wilson
the cotton expert, and the newspaper
| men smiled.
But lust here Mr.. Clarkson, Congress
man Iobson's versatile secretary, inter
posed. II would suggest, captain, tina
we let we'll enough alone, but as to th'
revolving table we have one of the sam'
| pattern and epicurean fullness at Reform
| for tomorrow night.
"Ah Clarkson, you are a Jewel. Yo,
are right. We will take dinner in Alice
VILE tomorrow and tomorrow night w
will. hnve the skyscraper dining table
"Goodr' chorused the soil man, tn
tree man, the cotton man, the good road
man and Mr. Hill from Seattle.