The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-01
ROAD IMPRESSIONS
GAINED BY AMERICAN
Logan w. Page Tells What He Saw as
Member Of the American Commits
sion to Paris.

Washingtons d. c., Dec Logan
Waller Page, director Of the Office Of
public roads Of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, who was named
by President Roosevelt as head Of the
American commission TO the recent In.
ternatiOnal Roads Congress at Paris, re-
turned TO Washington few days since,
firm in the belief that In some Of the
more scientific branches OF highway con.
struction the United States has nothing
to learn from the older nations, though
he was willing to concede that those
countries surpass this to an amazing de-
gree in the percentage Of improved road
mileage and in the jealous care with
which their splendid highways are main
tanned.
Among the many things which es-
pecially impressed afr. Page during this
European trip were the methods for reg
ulating automobile traffic in France and
England; the belief Of majority Of
the delegates TO the roads congress that
the automobile running at average speed
Is not detrimental 70 the highways; the
splendor Of French hospitality; the dis.
covery that many miles of very satisfae-
tory highways in England have been
constructed hy mixing limestone and
granite after the methods set forth in
publications issued through the United
States Office Of public roads, and the
amusing discussion now being carried on
by English Automobiles against horse
traffic in city streets and upon suburban
highways.
II Is his belief that from the congress
itself at least one big result will flow,
and credit for that must 20 to America.
On suggestion. nv Mr.. Page, IL was de-
termined TO create an international bu-
reau Of roads, similar in some respects
to the international bureau Of nayiga-
ton. This body viii consist Of two or
more delegates from each Of the 20 gov.
ernments represented at the congress
Its purpose will be the collecting Of all
possible information on road work, the
passing on 1t by q committee Of experts,
ard its distribution throughout the
world.
The ultimate benefits Of so far-reach.
ing q move cannot now be estimated
but the world will some day carry a
heavy debt Of gratitude to the govern.
mcnt whose highway representatives con.
eeivea the thought of such bureau, and
brought to its support the delegates Of
every civilized country on the globe
Credit must 90 to Mr.. Page for the
erection OF a memorial to NJ
the great French highway en-
gineer who was the originator of the
modern French system Of road mainte-
nance, and who began the building OF
the Incompatible system of highways
that has made France famous as q road. |
building nation. The resolution to that |
effect was introduced by Mr.. Page and |
ad0ptedi the secretary gen
sral being empowered to receive contri. |
buttons with which to carry out its pro-
visions.
Ask what plans France had made for
The visitors, MFR. Page said that he had I
been amazed at the manor in which the
-epublic had planned for the comfort and /
he entertainment of the delegates.
Among the functions was an elaborate
at the Elvsee palace, where
he national delegates were received by
President Falarieres. Til sessions OF the
II the Sorbonne the various sections
Meeting in rooms especially furnished for
heir comfort and convenience at the
sales du Jen dc Paume in corner, of
he beautiful garden Of the Tuileries
Besides the official reception at Elysee
,alace there was a special theatrical
given at which famous
french actress reeited a poem specially
written for the occasion. a reception at
he palace OF the minister of public
works; another at the magnificent Hotel
e Vile; side excursions to Fontainbleu
nd Nice; and a luncheon at the beauti.
nj palace at Versailles
This latter function was of especial
interest to many Americans because of
he historical assecia tions lingering
bout the magnificent palace. The lunch.
on was served in the superb orange
DOM, and when the delegates, to the
lumber Of over $50. had taken seats,
he fountains which fern the great dee
rstive features Of the superb apart
rents, were set playing, tribute by
rance to the visitors for it is emily on
are occasions that the water is turned ,,
1to this chsir Of basins
At the reception at the Hotel de Vile
he visitors were also treated to scenes
{ spiendor foreign 70 Ameriesn ideas
t simplicity, A regiment Of the pie
uresaueIy uniformed ehasseurs of TIE !
reneh army were dstsiled to stand at !
ttention. one on either end of every |,
tep of the grand marble staircase dswn !
-hich the delegates passed; and thence !
! double rows to the state dining rooms
nd grand salons. Gratifying and ina
ressiye IS were these examples of al .
lost royal hospitality, the ehsirman Of
ne American delegation found more Of
lterest in the perfection Of the systen
roads with which the republic is pro-
ided. and in the systematic methsd Of
them to the highest degree
I efficiency He Was told that on the 6
Iaeniacent road leading from Paris to {
srssilles 5000 automobiles pass either {
az on each fine dsv hut he noted that )