The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-16
WAS A SUCCESS.
Good Roads Meeting One of Best
on Record.
President jackson Greatly
Pleased at Results.
FEW WOMEN PRESENT.
This Was a Disappointing Fea-
ture Of the Sessions.
National Aid Apparently the
Keystone of Demands.

This has been one of the largest, and
certainly one of the best of the conven-
lions held by the National Good Roads
association" was the statement of
President Arthur c. Jackson at the
close of the tenth annual meeting of
the association. This seemed to be the
general sentiment of those who had at
tended other gatherings of the organ
ization.
1t was true that the convention was
disappointed in the nonappearance of
many of the distinguished speakers
who had been booked for addresses but
other speakers were enlisted who were
adequately able to discuss intelligently
the subjects assigned t',em.,
There were those who were of the
opinion that there was so much good
being derived from the sessions that
they should be continued for another
day, but the sentiment of those who
found it impossible to remain longer in
the capital city finally prevailed and
the convention came to close at the
scheduled time. The interesting and
important features of the resolutions
adopted as printed in last evenings is
sue of the State Journal were the rec
concentrations for the use of convict
labor in constructing good roads, and
tho 'nstituting on the part of the gov
eminent a system of good roads con-
Meeting Washington D. c., with every
state capital using the enlisted men
comprising our standing army to this
end. and lastly requesting the govern
ment for national aid in the building of
permanent highways.
During the sessions there was some
opposition to the asking of the govern
ment for aid in road construction. Prof.
]. H. Miller of the Kansas State Agri-
cultural college thought that it would
take a long time to get government aid
and thai after all it is in the local COM
munitv that the work should begin. He
felt that the delegates who attended
the convention would go back to their
homes filled with enthusiasm in regard
to action.
Immediately following Professor Mill
er's address William B. Ice, jr., of West
Virginia spoke at length in favor of
national aid. He suggested, however,
from both ends-from the top and the
bottom. He urged the holding of good
roads meetings in the country school
houses throughout the country.
Few Women Present.
There was a decided lack of interest
taken in the convention on the part OF
the women At no time were there
more than half dozen of them in the
room. Miss Anna NJ. Grady of Chicago
treasurer Of the National Good Roads
association, gave an interesting talk
during the course of which she urged
the Importance of the women waking
up to the realization that they can by
their influence do much towards secur-
ing for the country better thorough
fares.
."I think it is lamentable that the
women of today, as intelligent as they
a movement of this nature" said Miss
Grady. "In different parts of the
country the women have banded to-
gether in the cause Of woman suffrage;
that may and may not be all right
but here is a cause they can have a
voice in where they are more than
welcome.
1.-THE children of the country attend
a rural district school for a few years
and in order to attain higher educa-
ton they are compelled to leave home
and board. perhaps in town. This is
the starting point of the great trend
to the city. The boy comes to the
city, and becoming acquainted witt
city ways hoes not care to return te
the farm under the existing condi.
tons
When he burden becomes toe
heavy for the shoulders of the ole
folks they too come to the citv TO live
vita their children and the farm nat.
urally falls into the hands of a tenant
and you all know what that meansI'
The speaker then called upon the mer
to talk good roads to their wives upor
their return home from the conven.
ton.
Great credit is due to the local com.
mittee of the Commercial club for the
strenuous efforts which thew M
forth in order that the convention
might be a success. Special credit i.
due to Clarence D. Skinner, the secre
tary of the Shawnee Good Roads or.
ganization: H. w. McAfee, presiden
of the state association and also secre
tary of the national association. and
Engineer Parkhurst.
Mr.. McAfee reported that 1906