The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-19
John T. BeasIey of Terre
Haute Advocates EStab-
Iishment of Public Highway
Commission.
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
NECESSARY IN OFFICE.
James Noel of indianapolis,
Says Men Who Have Made
Failures in Private Affairs
Are Forced on State.

Representative business men from
the most progressive cities of Indiana,
gathered about the festival board in
the banquet hall at the Masonic Tenn
pie last evening They were there for
two purposes-to enjoy an excellent re-
past served by the Order of Eastern
Star, and to exchange ideas relative to
plans to improve the business welfare
of the state, subsequent to the forma-
tion of the State Federation of Com
.nercial clubs.
The banquet served as the means of
drawing these men from the various
business pursuits into a. general body
to discuss matters OF vital interest and
importance to all. The result far sur
passed the expectations of the pro-
moters, the local Commercial Club
members. Nearly all the leading bus
mess men of this city were in attend
ance. Invitations had been issued by
the home club to persons not members
of the organization and there was a
general response.
During the course of the meal, which
was served upon tables beautified by
huge bouquets of chrysanthemums, an
orchestra rendered splendid music. The
repast was in the nature of turkey
supper and the service was first class.
There was the usual roast turkey,
dressing, escalloped oysters, cranber-
ries. pickles. coffee, ice cream and
cake. Eaw.3
me real feast of the evening came
in the aftermath. 1t was shop talk
but of the kind that everyone present
wanted to hear. 1t was an assembly
of business men and the subjects in
which they are most interested were
given free discussion. Owing to un-
expected engagements Of some of the
men named on the program, they were
prevented from being present. In
their stead were substituted able men,
who used the subjects assigned the
others.
Fouike POSTMASTER.
The Hon. William Dudley Foulke
presided as toast-master. He extend
ed hearty welcome to the visitors in
behalf of the local Commercial club.
He gave brief Introductory in an
nouncing the name of the speaker in
response TO the various toasts.
For Better Highways.
The need Of the public highway COM
mission was advocated by John T..
Beasley, of the Terre Haute club. who
spoke in response to the toast, "Indi-
ana's Place in Commerce. 1T is a
matter of regret that in Indiana our
highways have not kept pace with our
interurban and steam railways" said
Mr.. Beasley. Il would propose that
we have state highway commission
similar to that of Massachusetts. Let
there be three members appointed by
the governor, who shall be from the
best business men of the state. Let
them be broad-gauged men and serve
from a spirit of patriotism and as a
matter of pride, SO that their salary
need be but nominal. | would have a
secretary, who would be paid properly
and chief engineer. also on salary,
who would look after the effairs of the
commission. | would have statistics
gathered, maps prepared and the de-
velopment of system of highways
undertaken. First let there be the
main line highway. and then let there
come conyerging lines.
In order that this matter be taken
hold of and given a real impetus. l
would suggest that committee com
posed of members of commercial clubs
prepare a bill and have 1t introduced
at the next legislature. Place it in the
hands of some active member and in
duce him to push it. II this is done
great good will be accomplished and
Indiana soon would become the first
state of the nation in her development
of internal commerce
The speaker referred to the first
steps toward the commerce of the an
clients. The Phoenicians were credit.
ed with being the first 70 venture up-
on the high seas for the purpose OF
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