The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-12-25
'SSaHD
MOO SQVOH IVNOILVNTILNI
MIR. Page Who Represented America
Says Lasting Benefits VIII Re-
sult-Royally Entertained.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 22.-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 international Roads Congress
at Paris, returned to Washington a
few days since, firm in the belief
that in some Of the more scientific
branches Of highway construction the
United States has nothing to learn
from the Older Nations, though he
was willing to concede that thosa
countries surpass this to an amazing
degree in the percentage Of improved
road mileage and in the jealous care
with which their splendid highways
ara maintained.
Among the many things which es-
peeially impressed Mr.. Page during
this European trip we're 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 detrimental to
highways; the splendor Of French
hospitality; the discovery that many
miles Of very satisfactory highways
in England have been constructed by
mixing limestone and granite after
the methods set forth in publications
issued through the United States Of
flee Of public roads, and the amusing
discussion now being carried on by
English automobiles against horse
traffic in city streets and upon subur-
ban highways.
It is his belief that from the con-
greSs itself at least one big result will
flow and credit for that must 60 to
america. On suggestion by Mr..
Page, it was determined to create an
international bureau Of roads, similar
in some respects to the international
bureau Of navigation. This body will
consist Of two or more delegates from
each Of the 20 governments represent
ed at the congress. Its purpose will
be the collecting Of all possible infor-
nation on road work, the passing on
it by committee of experts, and its
distribution throughout thel world.
The ultimate benefits Of so far
reaching a move cannot now be esti-
mated, but the world will some day
carry a heavy debt of gratitude to
the government whose highway rep
resentatives conceived the thought Of
such a bureau. and brought to its
support the delegates Of every civil
lied country on the globe.
Credit must 60 to Mr.. Page for the
proposed erection Of a memorial to NJ.
Tresauget, the great French highway
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 IA
nous as a roadIbuilding Nation. The
resolution to that effect was introddo-
ed by Mr.. Page and unanimously
adopted; the secretary general being
empowered to receive contributions
with which to carry out its provisions.
Asked what planc France had made
for the visitors. Mr.. Page said that
be had been amazed at the manner in
which the Republic had planned for
the comfort and the entertainment OF
The delegates.
Among the functions was an elab-
crate reception at the Elysee Palace
where the national delegates were re-
F.: ceived by President Fallarieres. The
. sessions Of the congress were held IN
vast auditorium at the Sorbonne
she various sections meeting in rooms
especially furnished for their COM
fort and convenience at the Sales du
Jeu: de Paume in corner of the
beautiful garden of the Tuileries.
Besides the official reception at
EIysee Palace. there was special
theatrical entertainment given at
which a famous French actress reeit-
ed poem specially written for the
occasion; a reception at the palace OF
the minister Of public works; anoth-
er at the magnificent Hotel de Vile;
side excursions to Fontainbleu and
Nice; and luncheon. at the beautiful!
palace at Versailles.
This latter function was Of especial
interest to many Americans because
Of the his orical assocsa ons Enger-