The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1908-12-29

0bdtcS 0cpdJ lillcul VI .ASliCultulC,
who was named by President Roose-
welt as head of the American Com
mission to the recent International
Roads Congress at Paris, returned 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 moth
ing to learn from the Older Nations,
though he was willing to concede that
those countries surpass this to an
amazing degree in the percentage Of
improved road mileage and in the
jealous care with which their splendid
highways are maintained.
Automobile Traffic.
Among the many things which es-
pecially impressed Mr.. Page during
this European trip were the methods
for regulating automobile traffic in
France and England; the belief Of a
majority of the delegates to the
Roads Congress that the automobile
running at average speed is not det-
rimental to highways; the splendor
of French hospitality the discovery
that many miles of very satisfactory
highways In England have been con-
structed by mixing limestone and
granite after the methods set forth
In publicat ions issued through the
United States Office of Public Roads,
and the amusing discussion now be-
ing carried on by English AUTOMOBILE
lists against horse traffic in city
streets and upon suburban highways.
Bureau of Roads.
1t is his belief that from the Con-
gress itself at least one big result
will aow-and credit for that must
60 to America On a suggestion by
Mr.. Page, it was determined to ere
ate an International Bureau of Roads
similar In some respects to the In
ternational Bureau of Navigation
This body will consist of two or
more delegates from each of the 20
governments represented at the Con-
gress. Its purpose will be the col
lecting of all possible information on
road work, the passing on it by
Committee of experts, and its distri-
button throughout the world.
Ultimate Benefits.
The ultimate benefits of so far
reaching move cannot now be esti-
mated, but the world will some day
carry heavy debt of gratitude to
the government whose highway rep
resentatives conceived the thought of
such Bureau, and brought to its
support the delegates of every civil
lied country on the globe.
Credit must go to Mr.. Page for the
proposed erection of memorial to
M. Tresauget, the great French high
way engineer who was the originator
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 in
troduced by Mr.. Page and unani-
mously adopted the Secretary Gener-
al being empowered to receive con-
tributions with which to carry out its
provisions.
Plans For Visitors.
Asked what plans France had
made for the visitors, Mr.. Page said
that he had been amazed at the man
ner in which the Republic had plan
ned for the comfort and the enter
tainment of the delegates.
Among the functions was an elab-
: crate reception at the Elysee Palace
where the National delegates were re-
ceived by President Fallarieres. The
sessions of the Congress were held
In vast auditorium at the Sorbonne;
the various sections meeting in rooms
especially furnished for their com
fort and convenience at the Sales du
! Jeu de Paume in a corner of the
beautiful garden of the Tuileries.
Official Reception.
Besides the official reception at
Elysee Palace, there was special
theatrical entertainment given at
which famous French actress recit-
ed poem specially written for the
occasion; a reception at the palace
Of the Minister of Public Works; an
other at the magnificent Hotel de
Vile; side excursions to Fontainbleu
and Nice; and a luncheon at the
beautiful Palace at Versailles.
, This latter function was of espec
ial interest to many Americans be-
cause of the historical associations
lingering about the magnificent pal
ace. The luncheon was served in
the superb orange room, and when
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