The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-10

The statements made here by Henry A.
Brown, Of the East Tennessee Good Roads
Association, and by Gov. Patterson as
sure You that Tennessee, with some coun-
ties that are models OF progress IN roads,
will not be content until model counties
are multiplied all over tho State.
Texas Leads the south.
The Lone Star state has a lone pre-
eminenee in the matter OF bond votes. 1t
has voted S5.OOOOOO since March. The
greatest defeat was the plan for 100000
to be spent on 300 miles of road In Tar
rant County, of which Fort Worth is the
chief city. This county was the State
leader in 1904 with 100 miles OF good roads.
The agitation for 800 miles more VIII go
on. Four bond issues were defeated al
together. but more than twenty went
through.
'The activities throughout the State
are enormous. The problem Is as large
as is the future OF the State and the men
OF Texas are going at IL in large way.
Two or three typical counties may be
mentioned Ellis County. in the north
east, has been voting on bonds by pre-
cincts. In August it assumed $4,000 and
in September $4,000 more. Galveston
County, in the southeast. has assumed
$4,000 for good roads. A type OF the de-
termination OF the men Of that port Is
seen IN spending $4,000 to produce bou-
levard effect on the famous sea wall.
Then In the extreme west we ind El
Paso County pushing in every direction.
going in for the most refined form OF
effort, asphalted macadam.
"Over sixty counties have In the past
81 aff fe~rff n
carry forward good-road effort. The prob
lem Of the state is huge. but It is being
aided by the most intelligent grouping Of
executives OF commercial clubs found
anywhere In the United States.
Virginia Doing Well.
Virginia stands seventh on bond issues
since March. It has voted sl,196,Ooo. No
Issues were defeated The scrutiny OF
every bid by the highway commissioner
Is the States safeguard against extrava-
gance The most spectacular work at
present going forward Is the effort for a
good road from Richmond 70 Washing
ton, for which both Richmond and Wash
ington papers are pulling; the highway
from Alexandria 10 Washington. on which
$4,000 may be spent; the talk OF Alexan-
dria County assuming a bonded debt OF
$4,000, and the general activity around
Hampton Roads.
Some cooperative features OF great
interest are going forward in IN" State
and give evidence OF what may alter be
a common method OF securing & common
good. The Taft reception at Petersburg
aroused talk OF historic highway from
that city 10 Richmond. 10 Washington.
and 70 Gettysburg IN COMMUNICATION OF
the struggles that swayed hack and forth
around the two capitals or 1SSl-65. The
object may be attained by linking to-
gether the many efforts now proposed.
But whether attained in whole or in part.
the effect on farm lands, on railroads,
and on cities will be good. But when al
is said and done the Old Dominion has
much 70 DO, and every mile Of good road
will make her richer and greater.
West VIrgInIn Lays.
The showing OF West Virginia has not
been worthy OF the rich possibilities OF
that State. The State board OF trade is
! striving TO arouse a good-roads sentiment
and viii succeed. Kanawha County VIII
/ spend $4,000 on thirty miles. which IS
the most noteworthy roads event in the
! State IN the past seven months. Poca-
! hontas County will build some fine rock
roads. The road laws OF the State pre-
! sent some OF the worst features OF road
working by unSkilled and usually unwill-
! ing labor
ITO show the spirit striving in West
/ Virginia, but not yet visible In the efforts
Of counties. 1t Is a pleasure 10 mention
the acts Of an association formed 10 con-
struct boulevard from Parkersburg 20
WillIamstown. This association has put
up $4,000 in cash for the purpose"