Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-07
Better Auto Laws
for the Highways
Washington Convention in January
Has Important Work to Do
on This Subject.

Charles Thaddeus Terry. chairman Of the
legislative board OF the American Automo-
bile association. announced last week that
the first national legislative convention,
under the auspices Of the American Auto
mobile association, viii be held in Wash
ington during the middle of January. This
will be the first convention OF its kind ever
held, although two years ago the legisla-
tive board OF the American Automobile
association combined with the good roads
board in holding the first big convention at
Buffalo, which was chiefly devoted to the
good roads movement.
Plans are now under way to invite the
governors or their representatives from
all the states. in the country, and in view
Of the increasing interest in the subject of
good roads throughout the southern and
far western states II Is believed that the
delegations from these localities will be
particularly large. 1t has been found
wherever the good roads subject becomes
prominent It is at once followed by a de-
mand for better laws regarding the use Of
the highways.
The chief matters that will be brought
before the coming convention viii be the
national registration motor law and the
uniform state law. The former will be re-
introduced into congress by Representa-
tive Cocks, who had charge of the bill last
year, and it is purposed to obtain a hear
ing upon the bill before the judiciary COM
mittee during the time of the convention
in Washington.
The enthusiasm aroused throughout
Louisiana for improved highways at the
good roads convention, held in that state
during the summer, has led to the calling
of a second similar convention at New Or
leans on November 20 and q. An lmpor-
tant feature will be the holding Of a series
of automobile races over the mile race
track in New Orleans, sanction for which
was recently granted by the American Au-
tomobile association contest board. The
New Orleans managers have retained Fred
]. Wagner as starter and the profits from
the race meet will go to the good roads
fund of the state. Governor Sanaders, who
called the recent good roads convention,
| has consented to act as one OF the honorary
officials at the races, and he will deliver
one OF the principal addresses at the con-
~vention, outlining the needs Of better roads
for Louisiana.
b. +. Yoakum, chairman of the Rock
Island-San Francisco Railroad system, who
recently conducted a party of good roads
enthusiasts through the east, is devoting
a large share Of his attention toward en-
couraging the building and maintenance Of
better roads in the farming communities
of the country. In a recent address before
the Farmers union Of Oklahoma Mr..
Yoakum said:
Farming is rapidly becoming more Of a
science. To insure a fair return upon the
constantly appreciating value 81 land the
amount of crop per acre must be increased
and the cost of hauling to the railroad
station reduced. After the farmer has
solved the question Of soil treatment there
still remains the movement Of the crop
over the wagon roads to the railroad. We
have many instances where improvement
of public roads has increased farm values
from $40 to $50 per acre. Therefore, saying
nothing about the relative comforts of a
good road over a bad one, good roads are
a splendid investment for the farmer
/ New York Herald