The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-08
GOOD ROADS DAY
A GREAT SUCCESS
IN EVERY PHASE
CONTINUED From Page One)


Judges bench. which was used as
speakers stand. was draped in flags
and good roads" pennants. The wall
in the rear Of the bench. was adorned
also.
Maurice o. Eldridge was sent to
this city by the government for the
purpose Of explaining the need for
good roads and the way to make them.
The merchants recognize the necessi-
ty Of good transportation facilities and
expressed anxiety to assist in the
project Immediately. The matter of
arrangements was turned over to the
Young Mems Business Club and to
this young organization belongs all
credit that is due for the initiative
and energy supplied. The officers
worked necessarily and the various
sub committees attended to their du-
ties with a worthy zeal. The day was
advertised in all counties of this sec
ton and personal invitations were is
sued. The committees sold pennants
to provide funds rather than solicit
subscriptions from the merchants and
public spirited persons.
Mention is due the Fort Wayne
Avenue and North E street mer-
chants for their enthusiasm, as we'll
as those on Main street. They assist
ed nobly in the effort and their places
of business were decorated in much
the same manner as those of the up
town district.
The crowds that began to arrive
from the rural districts were enter
tanned throughout the day. Band con.
Certs had been provided. The mer-
chants offered bargain prices at their
stores. Some of the factories located
in the more remote districts fur
nished free cab conveyance to and
from the uptown sections. There was
something doing at each moment.
Fire Department Runs.
The greatest interest of the crowd
centered in the exhibition run OF the
fire department. The horses were
given free reins on North A between
Fifteenth and Fourteenth streets and
allowed to run west at full speed. A
great throng of spectators crowded the
sidewalks and out into the streets.
There was general approval Of the ex-
| cellent work of the department.
Meeting This Afternoon.
At the meeting at the court house
this afternoon the keys Of the city
were turned over to the good roads
visitors by Mayor r. S. Schillinger
in an appropriate address. The well
coming address was delivered by J.
Bennett Gordon, representing the bust
ness men of the city. He mentioned
the need of good roads as avenues of
commerce and transportation and
stated he believes the era has arrived
when more attention will be paid to
the condition of the roads than has
been done in the past,
EIdridge's Address.
Mr.. Eldridge spoke in part as fol.
lows:
The prospects for gravel road build.
| ing is as favorable in Wayne county
as in any other section of the United
| States. Progress has already been
made in the construction of good
cheap, gravel roads, and with proper
maintenance Wayne county can have
as good roads as there are in the
United States or in Europe. l noticed
many automobiles when l was inspect.
| ing the roads this morning and they
| have done much TO promote the sen
timent for good roads and they have
also damaged the roads considerably
in the United States by removing the
small gravel and the fine stone dust
which is so essential TO properly con-
structed and maintained roads. either
of gravel or macadam. There have
been remedies suggested for the sur
facing of roads. such as tar and oil
having an asphalt base, etc.
! This subject of roads is one of the
burning questions of Europe and there
will be a meeting of the Internationa
Road Congress in Paris in October
l.. w. Page who is one of the creates
of the good road workers will attend
this meeting and participate in the
preceding.
The officials of the public roads a
Washington, D. c.. have done consid
cradle work in experimenting and ;
number of very satisfactory result: