The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-27
FOR GOOD ROADS.
Vice President jackson of National
Association in Topeka.

| Arthur C. Jackson of Chicago,
president of the National Good Roads
| association, met this noon with the
| good roads committee of the CONNER
cial club in order to become acquaint-
! ed with the good roads advocates In
| Topeka and to make arrangements for
the National Good Roads convention
which will meet in Topeka sometime
during November or December. H
| w McAfee having secured this con-
vention at the last national gathering.
| Governor w. R. Stubs was a guest
of honor at the noon hour meeting.
During the course of the CONVERSE
| ton which took place in an informal
manner Mr.. jackson said that when
| the loss is considered which is ac-
countable to bad. roads it is a wonder
| that there was not more interest taxi
en- long years ago in lettering the
conditions of the thoroughfares. He
| considered, however, that the people
are now beginning to wake up, and
that the automobile age will have
much to do with securing good roads
The committee adjourned to the
club parlors where Mr.. Jackson adj
/ dressed the members of the organiza-
| ton, being introduced by Gov. Stubs.
He said in part:
at came to Topeka because of
! splendid invitation that came to US
at Baltimore. That congress was ad-
| dressed by the vice president of the
United States. and at least twenty
members of congress. and that shows
there is a great awakening in the in
terests of good roads.
| II lear nthat the roads in Kansas
| are not what good many of you
would like to have them, and I be-
lieve that a great national convention
would do much to awaken interest in
good roads. I came here as much to
meet the people interested in good
roads az anything else.
| After 200 years of suffering on ac-
count of poor roads the last session
of the Maryland legislature appro-
priated 100000 for the construction
of good roads. The governor is held
money. In New York $4,000. 5000
has been appropriated. and it is es-
ti',' atNd tha+ : ""n -7:'As IF rock road
will be built with this money.
"A few years ago farmers were not
in favor of the good road movement
but now they are heartily in favor of
it as rule. They favor national aid.
There are 10000 carriers on the
rural free delivery route in the coun-
try. This fact is a prodigious force
working for good roads. am told
that in this state you have splendid
highways part of the year but at
other times the roads are poor. In
Illinois we are starting organizations
in various counties and, we are anti
cipating revolution of affairs. 81
I'VE believe that the national gov-
eminent should build roads connecting
the capital Of every state in the Union,
and we believe that every state should
build roads to connect all county seats,
and that the counties should take hold
and improve their roads. Until all In
terested in good roads unite, there never
VIII be such system, however.
I came here SO we could set a date
for a national convention in Topeka.
The convention can be made a great
success with the cooperation of your
governor and other prominent men"
Mr.. jackson and H. w. McAfee will
commence Immediately the formation of
county good road organizations through
out the state, so that delegates may be
appointed in time to be sent to the
convention. Mr.. McAfee. the chairman
of the good roads committee of the
Commercial club will appoint sub
committees to arrange the details of the
conventions al a date will be set later.
w. W. Mills. president of the Com
mercfal club. has not as yet reached
q decision in regard to whether or not
he will continue as chief executive Of
the organization. The secretaries have
promised to take all the detail work off
his shoulders, and make his burdens as
light as possible, and his many friends
are urging him to continue as head of
the club at least until the end of the