Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-09
TALK IN FAVOR
OF GOOD ROADS
INITIAL MEETING HELD ON
EAST SIDE
r. w. BLANCHARD AND eEsNER
WILLIAMS SPEAK
Highways to Be Improved Set Out In
Full Detail and Cause Of Low
Estimates for Construc-
tion Explained

At a meeting held last night under
the auspices of the East Side Improve
ment association in Conaty hall, Dow
ney avenue and Daily street, the Good
Roads association made the initial move
in its campaign for the acceptance OF
the proposed bond issue, to be votel on
July 80.
Conaty hall was we'll filled with men1-
bers of the association and citizens
from the vicinity. The audience paid
close attention to the speakers, and
by numerous questions showed per-
sonal interest in the project.
The meeting was In charge OF Joseph
Mesmer, president of the improvement
association. He introduced the speak,
ers Of the evening, F. w. Blanchard
and Gesner Williams.
Mr.. Blanchard confined his talk to
an explanation of the project ana the
history of the movement up to the pres
ent time He said the new law, making
II possible to issue bonds to cover the
expense of county roads, had met with
approval all over the state. All other
counties, he declared, were looking Tor
ward to the outcome of the Los Angeles
vote. July 80, because the new law
had originated in this county.
Explains Plans
The sneaker explained in detail where
the roads were to go and of what
material they were to be constructed.
There are to be 307 miles of first grade
macadam road, reaching to every small
town and municipal corporation In the
county. These roads will be fifteen feet
wide, with a seven-foot oil road wing
on each side. This will give thirty
foot road with macadam in the middle,
h. r1rrtfnT nf the travel
goes.
Mr.. Blanchard further stated that the
extremely low estimate for the con-
struction of the S07 miles $3,500,000 was
due to a special rate made by the rail-
roads for carrying stone, reduction
of from 60 to rs cents.
The east side voters were told that
four of the most important roads of
the system would head into that por-
tion of the city. Huntington drive will
be made into double road. The old
San Bernardino road will be converted
into a boulevard and enter the city
along Alhambra avenue, south of East
lake park.
Gesner Williams favored Mr..
Blanchard and advanced many argu-
ments in favor of the bond issue. He
laid stress upon the fact that such an
amount of work, carried on at time
when a great deal of labor was unem-
ployed, would be a boon to the COM
He declared that money
would not be hard to obtain on the
bonds, because there is plenty Of idle
capital waiting for just such good col
lateral as the $400 900, 900 worth Of prop
erty of Los Angeles county.
1t was explained that these new
roads would be opened to heavy teams
and wagons. In fact facility of ranch
4,.,, % q the main
objects of the movement. In conclusion
he urged everyone to wear good roads
button and whoop things up until mid
night of July 80.
Plan Big Meeting
Notices for the meeting of the MEM
bers of the Good Roads association
have gone out to every member and
it is expected that the entire $50 will
be on hand Saturday at 10 o'clock at
Blanchard hall, when the association
will formally start its campaign for
the good roads bonds to be voted on
July 30. The association will be fully
supplied with campaign material in the
way of maps, literature, buttons and
banners, and each district will be as
signed dates and speakers for meet
ings in aid Of the cause.
The Automobile Dealers association
will meet Tuesday night at Harrison's
Peerless garage, 1912 Main street, when
1t is expected that c. D. Daggett of the
highway commission and several other
speakers will be present with a large
map and outline to the auto men all
the details of the good roads plans.
The auto men are heartily in favor
of good roads and promise to be most
important factor In the campaign, as
soon as they are fully supplied with
the needful information. They have
already plastered buttons all over
auto row. and declare that their work
has only Just begun.
The East Hollywood Improvement
association will also meet Friday night
in Hoegee's hall, Prospect and Vermont
avenues, when F. w. Blanchard and
John w. Mitchell will make addresses.
East Hollywood is vitally interested in
good roads, as its two principal streets
can be improved only in that way, and
1t is certain to turn out in force and
pass favorable resolutions and proba-
bly, subscribe money in aid of the work.
Hollywood gave 800, as did Altadena,
and East Hollywood does not wish to
be behind.