The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-27
GOOD ROADS FIGHT
IA. TYLER GOODWIN TO MANAGE IN
 THE SECOND.
Seuator John H. Bankhead and Repre- sentative Oscar Underwood Win Tour Alabama in Support or
 the Amendment.


 With the tidings of good road fal- lies i'm the northern end of the state last week, advocates of the southern half of Alabama are preparing 70 pe- gin at an early date an active campaign for the adoption of the OVerton Amendment to the Constitution NOV. 8. The forces are gathering fast pc, hind the amendment and they deciaIe there will he.no let-up in pushing the issue to a successful conclusion when once the campaign Is started.
 Hon. R. Tyler Goodwin of Mont gomery,> who is the manager of the Second District. says that county or ganizations will be perfected by sept. through which the good roads propa : ganda will be spread. The state Caih- paign Club has divided the work among managers of the several Congressional districts and the appointment of these managers has been made by senator John w. overton. fatheg ef the pill in the last Legislature, which makes it possible for the people to vote on the amendment next November. Ihe district managers in turn will name the managers In the various counties of their districts
 The Overton amendment, as has been often stated, simply removes the ob- stacle which the Constitution in Hs present shape affords to giving State- aid to constructing and repairing good roads in Alabama. 1t makes 1t possi- ble for the Legislature to appropriate 2 the net proceeds of State convicts to good road construction under proper and scientific supervision.
 Two prominent members of Congress from Alabama have already announced their intenetton of taking the stump in favor of the amendment. These are Senator John H. Bankhead and Con- gressman Oscar w Underwood of the Ninth District. They gave out enthu- siastic interviews last week in Bir- ,mipgham, in which they expressed their purpose to stump the State be- ginning Sept. 1 This will give them two months and more before the peo- pie show themselves at the polls. They are working now op the arguments which will prime their campaign.
 Of particular interest also is the re- ported announcement of Governor Co- mer that he will not take the stump in opposition to the measure. Early gossip had 1t that he would be seen de- claiming against the wisdom of adopt ing the amendment. Whether he will take the stump or not some declara- tions of his recently indicate that he is opposed to the amendment though in favor of good roads. He believes 1t would disarrange the tax system Of the State and subtract from tho State appropriationc to schools and old sol diers. He has also declared against the general proposition of repeating the constitution section that pro hibited the State from engaging in in- ternal Improvements.
 q read with interest the article in this mornings Advertiser by MT. Craft of Mobile" said an influential citizen yesterday. He stated clearly to my mind the need of State-atd In the mat ter of good roads and the complete failure of county supervision and con struction He outlined many of the physical and obvions advantages of good roads He told of the intangi- ble benefits such as advancement ol education and religion.
 "lt seems to me. however. that he | omitted one of the most forceful ar guments in favor of aggressive road building. It Is the general tavoranle | effect that good roads will have on the marketing of farmers produce. It is l bound to result in higher prices TOT i his products This will be brought about by the fact that the producers will not bo held back in bringing theil | own corn and cotton to market by the rainy seasons
 "As conditions now are. the heavy rains that fall sometimes simultaneous lv in many States put the roads 1T such impa ssable shape that the farmer is kept away from the railroad sta tions Then when the roads become ] dry. and passable one may see the pro | cession of wagons with products head ing for the markets. This rushing t' the market in the dry spells glVes ITS to bearish speculation. especially as tn railroads present a shortage of cars The effect is to depress the market If good roads were In each State, ther would be systematic and steady mar ketlng of all farm products. resultin in higher and firmer price
 The fate of the proposed amehdmen Ter Crerton and other submissions will b voted on by the people of Alabam Nov. 8.