Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-11-29

of public roads of the United States,
department Of agriculture, who was
named by President Roosevelt as the
head Of the American commission to
the recent international Roads con-
gress In Paris, returned to Wishing
ton a few days ago, firm in the be-
lief that in some of the more scien-
tific branches of highway construc-
tion the United States has nothing
to learn from the older nations, all
though he was willing to concede that
those countries surpass this in an
amazing degree in the percentage of
improved road mileage and in the
jealous care with which their road
ways are mainetined. s
Among the many things that esep-
cially impressed Mr.. Page during his
European trip was the methods for
regulating automobile traffic in En-
gland and France, and belief Of a
majority of the delegates Ito the,
roads convention that the automo-
bile running at normal speed was
not detrimental to the highways; the
splendor of French hospitality; the
discovery that many miles of excel
lent roadway in England had been
constructed by mixing limestone and
granite after methods set forth in
publications issued through the
United States office of public roads,
and the amusing discussion now be-.
ing carried on by English automo-
bilists against horse traffic in city
streets and upon suburban high
ways.
It is his belief that from the con-
gress itself at least one big result
will follow and credit for that must
so to America. On suggestion by Mr.
Page it was decided to create an
International Bureau Of Roads similar
in some respects to the International
Bureau Of Navigation. This body will
consist Of two or more delegates
from each of the 20 governments rep
resented at the congress. The pur-
pose will be the collecting of all pos
sible information on road work, the
passing on it by a committee Of ex-
rerts and its distribution throughout
the world
The ultimate benefits of So far
reaching a move cannot now be esti-
mated, but the world will some day
carry a heavy debt Of gratitude to
the government whose highway 1ep-
resentatives conceived the thought of
such a bureau, and brought to it's
support the delegates from every civil
lized country on the globe.
Credit must go to Mr.. Page for the
proposed erection of a memorial to
4 M !. Tresauget. the great French high
way engineer who was the inventor
of the modern French system of
road maintenance, and who began
the building of the Incompatible
system of highways that has made
France famous as a road building
nation. The resolution to that effect
was introduced by Mr.. Page and was
unanimously adopted, the secretary
general being empowered to receive
contributions with which to carry
out its provisions.
Asked what plans France had made
for the visitors Mr.. Page said that
he had been samaEsd at the manner
in which the republic had planned
for the COMFORT gand entertainment
of the delegates. rs
Among the functions was an ella
I borate reception at the Elysee palace
where the national delegates were
received by President Fallarieres. The
sessions of the congress were held
In a vast auditorium at the Sorbon.
ne; the various sections meeting Il
rooms especially furnished for theil
comfort and convenience at Sale.
du Jen de Paume, in a corner Of the
beautiful garden OF the Tuileries.
Besides the official reception al
Elysee palace, there was q specia
\ theatrical entertainment given al
which a famous French actress re
cited 3 poem especially written FOL
the occasion: a reception at the pal
ace Of the minister Of public works
another at the magnificent Hotel dt
Vile; side excursions at Fontain
bleu and Nice, and a luncheon at tht
beautiful palace at Versailles.
This latter function was Of specia
interest to many Americans becaus'
Of the historical associations linger
ing about the magnificent palace. Th'
luncheon was served in the superl
orange room, and when the dele
gates to the number Of over 750
had taken seats, the fountains which
form the great decorative feature o
the superb apartments. were set u
playing, q tribute by France to th'