The Detroit times., 1908-08-20
LOOKING TO
FARMERS FOR
NOMINATION
SAYS THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO
APPRECIATE WHAT HE'S DONE
FOR THE GOOD ROADS MOVE.
MENT.

That Horatio S. Earle was not a
resident OF Detroit years before he
finally came here is due 10 a circum-
stance which sheds considerable light
on the character OF the man who is
making unique canvass for the Re.
publican nomination for governor.
Earle was employed in Chicopee
Falls in 1879 and was offered a posi-.
ton in Detroit at much higher wages
He gave up his place as foreman OF
a foundry and sent his tools and
overalls here. When he got here he
found that the shop which had offered
him the place had locked out It's EN-
ployes.
Il never even got my overalls and
tools but just took the next train out
OF town." says Earle. my kit may
be there yet for | would never be a
btrike-breaker.'
1t MAS q number of years later, az.
ter he had left the foundry and be-
come a travelling man for an agricul
tural implement firm that he came to
Detroit again. He started In business
here for himself and now makes one
eighth OF all the scythes used in the
country, his brand being the one that
brings the highest price In the mar
ket.
When l started the shop | put NJ
this motto, Not we'll enough or as
good, but the best OF none,'" remarks
Earle. II guess my success proves
that Is a pretty good motto"
Earle became interested In the
good roads movement, from which he
has won most fame, about IA years
ago. First as consul OF the League OF
American Wheelmen and then as pres.
ident Of the national body, he devot-
ed all his spare time to working for
better roads. He travelled $4,000 miles
at his own expense in one year to
organize and help the movement and
pay of the debt of the league.
During the last three years he has
worked In the same way in Michigan
for good roads, as highway commits.
sioner
While Massachusetts has 40 inspec.
tors for 63 miles OF new country roads
being built, Earle is supervising the
building of 220 miles of road in this
state with but one assistant. The
spread of the good roads movement In
the state has helped Earle In his am
bition to become governor. His peti-
lions were filed after the receipt OF
only five mails at his house. There
were enough signatures In the 4,573
letters received to nominate him sew
eral times over.
Lots Of them had the green grass
spot right on the envelope that show
ed they came from farmers who ap
preciate what good roads mean,' de-
clares Earle. There were letters In
that stack that made me cry because
they told Of good wishes and goot
work that were not inspired by self
fish motives but by real honest senti
ment"
Just what the good roads move
ment may mean politically is shown
when one considers that there are
1926 townships in Michigan which
have highway commissioners and
road bosses. Earle has worked with
and for these highway commissioners
for IA years. Now he Is appealing to
them directly iu-his- letters There
are 1000 auto-owners and 5000 thresh'
ers in the state and a portion of them
are sufficiently interested In good
roads to remember the issue on prim'
airy day. Earle figures.
At the present time men are work.
ing for the state good roads plan In
40 eeunties.---- ----------
ITO those who have talked with me
have said that there were only three
topics to discuss with the land-own'
ers after they had secured their sig
natures to good roads petitions" says
Earle slyly. 1T would be impolite
for them to go right away. So they
can talk about the weather, the crops
or HoratIo g. Earle. And will say
that they do not talk about the first
two topics very long"
Earle Is due back In Detroit next
week for a round OF speeches that
will take in every portion of the city