The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-10
IS FIRM IN BELIEF THAT IN SOME OF THE MORE SCIENTIFIC BRANCHES OF HIGHWAY CON- SEDUCTION UNITED STATES HAS NOTHING TO LEARN FROM THE OLDER NATIONS.

washington, December 9--(Special.)- 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 inter national roads congress at Paris, returned to Washington a few days since, firm In the belief that in some of the more scl- entific branches of hikhway construction the United States has nothing to learn from older nations, though he was will ing to concede that those countries sur pass this to an amazing degree in the percentage of improved road mileage and in the jealous care with which their splendid highways are maintained.
 Among the many things which espe- cially impressed MT. Page during this European trip were the methods for reg ulating 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 splen- dor of French hospitality the discovery that many miles of very satisfactory highways in England have been construct ed by mixing limestone and granite after the methods set forth in publications is- sued through the United States off1ce or public roads, and the amusing dlscus- sion now being carried on by English au- tomobilists against horse traffic in city streets and upon suburban highways
 1t is his belief that from the congress itself at least one big result will flow and credit for that must go to America. On suggestion by MT. Page. it was de- termined to create an international bureau of roads, similar in some respects to the bureau of navigation. This body will consist of two or more dele gates from each of the 2s governments renresented at the congress. Its purpose will be the collecting of all possible infor- nation on road work, the passing on 1t by a committee of experts, and It's dis tribution throughout the world.
 The ultimate benefits of so far-reaching a move cannot now be estimated, but the world will some day carry heavy debt of gratitude to the government whose highway representatives conceived the thought of such bureau and brought to it's supprt the delegates of every civilized country on the globe.
 Credit must go to MT. Page for the proposed erection of a memorial to M. Tresauget the great French highway engineer who was the originator of the modern French system of road mainte- nance and who began the building of the incomparable system of highways that has made France famous as road-build- ing nation The resolution to that effect was introduced by MT. Page and unani- mously adopted the secretary general being empowered to receive contributions with which to carry out it's provisions.
 Asked what plans France made for the visitors, MT. Page said that he had been amazed at the manner in which the re- public had planned for the comfort and the entertainment of the delegates.
 Among the functions was an elaborate reception at the Elysee palace, where the national delegates were received by Pres- ident Fillieres. The sessions of the con- gress were held In vast auditorium at the Sarbonne: the various sections meet
 ing in rooms especially furnished for their comfort and convenience at the Sal les du Jeu de Paume in a corner of the
 beautiful garden of the .Tuileries.
 Besides the official reception at Elysee palace, there was a special theatrical en- tertanment given at which famous French actress recited a poem specially written for the occasion; a reception at the palace of the minister of public works; another at the magnificent Hotel de Vile; side excursions to Fontainbleu and Nice; and a luncheon at the beauti- full palace at Versailles.
 This latter function was of especial in- terest to many Americans, because of the historical associations lingering about the magnificent palace. The luncheon was served In the superb Orange room, and when the delegates, to the number of over 75o,- had taken seats, the fountains which form the great decorative features of the