The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-02

had been amazed at the manner in
which the republic had planned for
the comfort and the entertainment of
the delegates.
Among the functions was an elabor-
ate reception at the Elysee palace
where the national delegates were re-
ceiVed by President FalliereS. The
sessions of the congress were held in a
vast auditorium at the sorbonne; the
various sections meeting in rooms
especially furnished for their comfort
and convenience at the SALES du Jeu
de Paume in a corner of the beautiful
garden of the Tuileries.
Besides the official reception at Ely
see palace, there was special theatri-
cal entertainment given at which "a
famous French actress recited a poem
specially written for the OCCASION; a
reception at the palace of the minister
of public works; another at the mag
nif1cent Hotel de Vile; side excursions
to Fontainbleu and Nice, and lunch
con at the beautiful palace at Yer
sailles.
This latter function was of especial
interest to many Americans because
of the historical associations lingering
about the magnificent palace. The
luncheon was served in the superb
orange room, and when the delegates,
to the number of over $50 had taken
seats, the fountains which form the
great decorative features of the superb
apartments, were set playing, a tribute
by France to the visitors, for it is
only on rare occasions, that the water
is turned into this chain of basins.
At the reception at the Hotel de
Vile the visitors were also treated to
scenes of splendor foreign to American
ideas of simplicity. A regiment of the
picturesquely uniformed Chasseurs of
stand at attention, one on either end
of every step of the grand marble
staircase down which the delegates
passed; and thence in double rows to
he
salons. Gratifying and impressive as
We're these examples of almost royal
hospitality, the chairman of the Amer
lean delegation found more of inter-
est in the perfection of the system of
roads with which the republic is pro-
Vided, and in the systematic method of
them to the highest de-
gree of efficiency. He was told that on
the magnificent road leading from
Paris to Versailles 5000 automobiles
pass either way on each fine day but
he noted that it was in such perfect
condition that it was practically as
dustless as the carefully swept asphalt
street of a large city
No better macadam roads are built
in France than can be and are built
in this country; but the maintaining
utmost care, and for that reason the
are invariably in such splen-
did condition that they excite the envy
of American visitors.
Solution OF DuStleSS Roads
Prior to his arrival at Paris. Mr.
the company of some of the famous |
engin of the empire ex-
aminfng roads throughout England It |
Is his belief that England has arrived |
as near to the solution of dustless |
present day problem of all /
engineers-as any nation /
Her engineers have given the use of |
materials for spraying ma
cadam roads the utmost thought and
care. Spraying highways with such |
after science has been called |
20 the aid of the highway builder has
I tendency to preserve the solidity of !
he roads and prevent the formation of
lust; and England has made such
progress in this branch of road study
hat many miles of suburban roads are |
rs free from the disease breeding dust
nuisance as the best kept streets of the
principal cities of the world.
So firm are the highway scientists
n the demand that these conditions
lot merely maintain but improve, that
he first fight against the horse has
,een taken up by the automobilIsts
When the motor car began to come
nto use. the teaming interests of the
world were strong. They berated the
automobile In unmeaSured terms: said
hat it was a menace to the public
nd to the horse; that 1t endangered
ife and limb; in fact advanced every
rgument against it that from time
has been advanced
gainst the advent OF every great in
ention or civilizing influence.
In the early days of the American
Republic, the pack-sadd1e men fought
Utterly against the advent of the
7agon. They declared it would make
ossible the carrying of heavier loads
nd the consequent running of the
ack-saddle industry; the wagon men
ought the stage coach on the theory
hat it would facilitate traffic and
hrow wagon men out of work; the
tage coach men battled against the
aflroadS on the theory that the run
Ing of steam cars would drive out
he stage coach driver: and each in
urn was forced to make way.
The fight of the horse car men
gainst the trolley car is remembered
y ALL The claim was then made
hat 1000, 900 horses would be thrown
ut of work and that horse breeders
-ould starve. The trolley is we1l-nigh
niversal, and yet more horses are
aised each year than the year before
nd they bring better prices.
The horse interests have ever fought |