The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-09
AUTOS GOOD ROADS
LESS OPPOSITION SHOWN TOWARD
MACHINES BY FARMERS.
Meeting of the State Association IN
Minneapclis Yesterday; George M
Palmer of Mankato Tells of tie
Great S,rides That Have Been
Made in The Matter OF Highway
Betterment; the Election.

OIedI StAiucS luGa @lese oSSh
Made in The Matter OF Highway
Betternent; the Election.
Minneapolis, April Unbounded en-
thusiasm in the work of the organiza
ton marked the annual meeting of the
Minnesota State Automobile association
held last night al the Plaza Hotel, and
all of the remerks of the delegates
he reports read and the papers pre-
sented tended 20 show the organiza.
ton to be in a fourishing condition
Intense interest from all parts of the
state was shown and the association
is fast arriving at that point where
it will WELD strong influence through
out the state for good roads and eff
fective legislation.
After dinner at $3.50 the delegates
assembled in the lecture room of the
Minneapolis Automobile club and re-
ports were either presented in person
or read, from all of the clubs in the
association, 70 in number. These re
ports were full of useful informa
tion telling of the plans in vogue
among the clubs to accomplish gooC
roads work, sign posting and legisla
ton and were listened to with inter
est.
Change of Heart.
One noticeable feature which APP
peared in several of the reports was
the fact that the farmers, at first an
tagonistic to the automobiles in al
of their enterprises, are fast beeom
ing strong supporters of the activities
of the clubs, especially since it hiA
been shown by some of the clubs that
lots of good roads work is being done
by the clubs themselves and in Other
cases the clubs are working in co
operation with the townships and the
good roads associations OF the farmers
the expense of the Improvement be-
ing shared equally,
In the report of the Faribault clul
made by Secretary w. NJ. Nutting ht
told of travelling bees" held by the
farmers in the vicinity, workmen fol
which were furnished by the auto clut
members. Three such bees" have beer
held during the past year and several
miles Of road have been completed By
this method
The use Of road drags is now quit,
general, the majority oil the clubs en-
ploying them in the good roads work
G. A. Will, representng the Minnea
polls Automobile club advocated il
vigorous language the necessity of hay
ing the good roads WORK of the stat
done under one central body or com
mission, instead of leaving it 20 III
hit or miss plan now in vogue il
the various counties and townships
He also emphasized the necessity O
having some SYSTEMATIC plans for tn
permanent maintenance Of roads one
improved and gave it as his opinio,
that in the state of Minnesota alon,
there is all annual waste Of $4,000
600 because Of the lack OF good roads
Paper By George Cooley.
Mr.. Wills remarks were borne GU
by an elaborate paper by George Coole
of the state highway commission
who went into the work of the com
mission, explaining the handicaps unde
which the body works and good point
OF the highway commission bill no,
before the Legislature. Senator T. T
eastman of Owatonna also spoke o.
good roads and of the possibilities @
The future when he believed co-opera
tlon between the good roads associa
ions and the townships would be com
pleted He favored leaving the roa
work conducted on competitive plar
9. NJ. Palmer of Mankato, one of tn
most active men in the association i
good roads work, told what stride
are being made now that the interes
OF the farmers has been secured.
Secretary w. H. Card of the associa
ton in his report showed ninetee
clubs in the organization at presen
with membership of nearly l,3O(
The finances are in good conditio
after an extremely busy year in whic
much has been accomplished.
Joyce Is President.
The annual election of officers re
suited in the old officers being re
elected, as follows: President f. n
Joyce; vice president, Reuben Warner
st. Paul; secretary treasurer, DR.. W
Il. Card, Minneapolis.
A committee was appointed to tax
up the matter of the association pub
fishing the annual touring book an
the matter of adopting some one styl
of signs in accordance with recommen
dations from the touring committee G
the A. A. A. was also referred to
committee.
There was some discussion of tn
question of having a 'little Glide
tour" this summer for the member
of the state association. H. S. John
son, chairman of the tours and cor
tests committee of the state associa
ton is now investigating the plan, an
it is possible that four or five days
fOur will he arrauuad to tako in co,