The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-21
BANKHEAD IN MOBILE
UNITED STATES SENATOR SPEAKS
 FOR GOOD ROADS.
It fs Not the Intentfon to Rob Either the Schools or the 0Id Soldier With the Overton Good
 Roads Amendment.

Mobile, Aug. 2o.--(special. )--To a larger audience than was thought pos- sible. owing to the extremely warm weather, Senator John H. Bankhead presented his views on the John Over ton amendment, which is to be voted on at the coming election and which amendment provides that convict funds may be appropriated to road purposes in the county in which they originate. Senator Bankhead was introduced to the audience by Capt. John Craft, President of the Commercial Club, who, in few welI-chosen remarks. told the people that Senator Bankhead was the greatest advocate of the principle of good roads for Alabama in the entire State.
 After some preliminary remarks, tho Senator said the Overton amendment was the greatest blessing that had ever come to the State, and that the man who had the thought to present 1t was worthy of the highest monu- ment that could be erected in Alabama. He said, however, that the adoption of the amendment was not the end of the matter, but that the Legislature could be depended on to carry out the rest of the contract if the people voted for 1t.
 He declared most emphatically that any one who would attempt. to rob the school funds or who would inter- fere with the old soldiers pension should be condemned, but that this was not intended by the amendment, and only those who were trying to oppose 1t were advancing this theory. The Senator was in his happfest mood. Those who heard him make his speech of acceptance when the Legfs- lature voted to make him Senator, would hardly know the somewhat mirthful speaker of this evening" He fAA faA rlu every point he had to make by amus- ing anecdotes which kept his audience In 6 good humor. His chief conten- ton was that the Overton amendment could not possibly interfere with either the schools or the old soldier, and he contended that the opponents of the measure could not advance any other argument. therefore. they had fallen back on one that would not hold water.
 He declared that no one proposed to take out the moneys of the county and misappropriate it: that no one proposed to create a number of office- holders who would be paid for doing nothing, but that these funds would be under one head and would be prop erly applied. He referred to the fact that the national government was nearly up to the proposition of appro-
 
 ton with money appropriated by the counties for the purpose of building good roads throughout the country. All the great statesmen of the ages, he declared had advocated the build ing of good roads. and that so much had thuG been advocated of late that there was scarce a statesman of today who would dare raise his voice against a national appropriation Of money to aid states and counties in building post roads.
 Attractive to Farmer. The Senator contended that with the installation of good roads. the home life of the farmer and his sons and daugh- ters would be made more attractive He declared that something must be 1 done to make things socially agree | able to them or they would so to the crowded city. He paid a splendid tri- bute to the women of farm life de- claring they made the best wives in 1 the land but he said to add to their social engagement there must be good roads. in order that they be not re- qutred to drive wagons hub-deep. to their churches or church sOcials. He le1t touch of human interest by say ing that the country people had their Sunday clothes but they did not want to spoil them by driving through mud. Let us therefore give them good roads, roads over which they can drive in safety roads over which they can so to pay social visits or to attend to their church affairs" the Senator said, ~and we will give to them just what they need"
 Tn closing he said 1t was up to the ! citigens of the State to decide wheth- CT they were willing to place the funds that can be obtained by the amend ment in the hands of the legislature. Praise for Mobile.
 He paid pretty compliment to Mobile by saying that she is The dim pie on the cheek of Alabama" He went on to say that the city was a sleeping giant and dwelt on her vast possibilities with one arm extended up tho Tombigbee and another up the Coosa to bring down the rich products or the state and distribute them to the world. He touched on the Pana- ma Canal question and said that here or near here would be established the greatest coaIinE station on the Gulf Coast. and added that 1t should be in Mobile.
 The vessels of the world. he aaid would pass this way and the steam that drives the propellers must be made with Alabama coal. He predicted that at the short session of Congress there would be passed a larger rivers and harbors appropriation than ever before and that Mobile would get the Iaager share of the appropriation. Underwood Speaks.
 Congressman Oscar w. Underwood. from the Ninth District. was the next speaker. He gained interest from the start by stating that he had always looked after the interests of Mobile and was particularly glad to do so. He coupled the names of Mobile and