The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-09
Big Meeting Called to Consider
Plans for Extension of Mileage.
Officials From Various Roads
will Convene in Pittsburg.
BACKED BY STAT
Governor Of Pennsylvania Re.
sponsiblc for Convention.
Other Items of Interest to the
Railway Public.

Pittsburg, Pa, March 9.-"Network
the earth with good roads, till she
looks like the cana1-scored Mars is
a slogan which is to be heard in this
city for three days beginning March 1 8
and it is to be uttered from the Threats
of the $500 delegates who will attend
the convention of the road makers
association to be held at the Carnegie
music hall. Allegheny county has not
been behind in this movement for bet
ter roads. having spent $3,50O,000 on
the building of some 200 odd miles OF
roadway within the borders of the
county.
Those who are in position to know
say that the county has gotten a great
er return from that expenditure than
any 1t has ever made. Farmers and
owners of suburban property admit
that 1t has greatly increased the value
of their land, bringing them closer to
the city by shortening the distance
with more direct and better built
roads, and by encouraging suburban
building which never would have been
thought of had not the good roads
movement been instituted.
The visitors will be carefully locke
after while they are guests of the city
and fund for the purpose has already
been raised by the business men to see
to it that these guests leave the city
when the convention is over ready to
laud to the skies the hospitality of its
citizens. d. P. Black, chairman of the
charge the raising of this fund and has
met with excellent success.
Many prominent men are to be
present on the occasion. Among them
will be Governor Stuart and a mum der
of other state officials, principally from
the department of agriculture. Rep
resentatives from the good roads COM
missions of every state in the Union
will have members present and it will
probably be the greatest convention
in the history of the American Road
Makers association. Pennsylvania it
must be said. and to her shame. has
the worst roads of any state in the
Union and there will be an opportuni-
ty at this time for those who seek en-
lightenment on the subject of good
roads to get it.
One of the matters which will be
taken up will be the project of build
ing a trunk line road clear across the
continent. so that one could drive
from Maine to California and be on a
road every mile of the way which
would be safe and passable. 1t has
poor road is the hardest to keep up
and that it is a constant money sinker,
which brings no return, While a&good
road increases. the value Of every piece
of property which abutsson- H. sSrss
Perhaps more than any other one
thing the automobile interests are re-
sponsible for the cry for good roads
and this year the state of New York
alone Will spend S0UsUOOsUVU on us
highways, which are already the best
of any state in the Union.
Among the local people who are
interested in this movement are: Will
liam Finn chairman; S. L. Tone,
secretary: D. P. Black. chairman of
finance committee; w. H. Davis. chair
man of press committee; w. J. Diehl,
chairman transportation committee;
P. S. Finn, chairman of hotel COM
mittee; A. M. Jenkinson, chairman of
entertainment committee; w. G. Will
kins, chairman of printing committee;
William Stevenson, chairman of meet
ings and halls committee.