The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-31
The GOOD ROADS
MOVEMENT GROWS

Responses from governors of twenty
Ave states and the mayors from scores
of cities have been received by the ma
tional convention committee of the sec
ond annual National Good Roads con-
vention to be held at Cleveland, Ohio,
Sept. FL, % and %. In many cases
these officials have named their official
delegates and judging from the interest
that the purpose of the convention
have aroused in all parts of the coun-
try the coming meeting will not only
be the largest of it's kind ever held in
America but is certain to be productive
of far reaching results in the national
good roads movement. Automobilists
are particularly interested.
1t is a significant fact that among
the favorable responses already re
ceived the southern and far western
states are particularly well represented.
There has been a gradual increase in
interest in favor Of good roads through
out the south during the past year. and
this sentiment has been clearly reflect
ed in the replies received from many
governors and other officials.
Charles p. Light, commissioner of
public roads of Charleston, w. Va, has
endorsed the aims of the convention
and will be present with the state en-
gineer
Governor Brown OF Georgia, who has
recently shown his interest in good
roads in an unmistakable manner, has
appointed delegates. North Carolina,
Mississippi and Maryland have also
named delegates. Governor Haskell OF
Oklahoma, has promised that his dis
tant, but very energetic, state will be
represented, while Governor Benson of
oregon says: "The objects of this
convention meet with my hearty ap-
proval and shall be very glad to name
some of our most prominent citizens
as delegates at an early date"
Road Demonstrations
F. A. Peace, chairman of the demon
stration committee, has been actively
engaged during the past two weeks
comforting with the municipal authori-
ties of Cleveland regarding the practi-
cal demonstrations on the roads in and
around that city which will be the
predominant feature during the con-
vention from Sept. 81 to %.
Delegates to the convention, says Mr..
Peace, will have the privilege of wit
Messing construction of five-inch
bricks, Madina block and sheet asphalt
pavements in different parts of the city
where thirty miles of road construc-
tion of these methods have been under
taken for the present year. An exact
itinerary will be arranged by the COM
mittee at an early date covering the
most desirable routes to be followed
by the delegates in the tour of inspec-
ton. The exact stage of the different
methods Of construction will govern the
Anal determination OF what streets can
be visited most advantageously.
Throughout the townships embraced
in Cuyahoga county adjacent to Cleye-
land, the commissioners have con-
structed, up to the present time more
than 800 miles OF brick and bitulithic
pavings. The work Is being widely ex-
tended this season and arrangements
are being made for an extended tour
over many miles Of these thorough
fares. Most Of the work now being
done is with four-inch brick laid upon
four-inch Portland concrete. This con-
struction is of the highest type and
special information will be given re-
garding 1t by County Engineer "A. b.
Lea, who will be present at all the
convention meetings and viii accomp-
any the delegates in their automobile
inspection tours.
In the village OF Cleveland Heights
about fifteen miles of macadamized
roads have recently been completed
or win be found in process of construc-
tion. A considerable amount OF oil
and tarrfng Of surfaces is also being
done, large part by prospective ex-
hibitors at the convention who are util-
izing this opportunity to show the ef-
feet of their dust lying materials ana
road binders upon the macadam sur
faces.