The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-10
TAKES FIRM STAND
FOR BETTER ROADS
ASheyille Convention Starts
a Broad Campaign.
IT URGES TRUNK HIGHWAYS
Delegates from Five States and
Forty Counties Discuss Problem in
Many PhaSes-MOvement Assumes
the Character of Cooperative Eff
fort-ERects Organization.

~
Appalachian Goods Roads convention,
which was in session here for two days
this week. undoubtedly marks a depar-
ture In the highway development OF this
mountain region. II not Of the whole
South. The convention was made up Of
practical men. Bronzed county commits
sloners probably constituted the bulk OF
the delegates, men who have struggled
with the road problem in these noun
tain districts for many years, who have
thought deeply, and are desperately in
earnest about the matter. Besides them
mayors OF towns and cities and plain peo-
pie from up and down the Appalachian
country were here to help the cause
along. The convention was addressed by
eminent men OF the country. and 1t was
presided over by a State geologlst who
has given wide study TO the highway
problem, and brought here the fruit Of
his wisdom and experience.
Takes Broad View.
The central idea OF the convention was
the irnpressment Of a larger view Of road
building than the metes and bounds OF
the neighborhood. The modern road
like the railroad, Is a public institution,
which passes the boundaries of local dis
tricts and reaches into the growth OF the
State and the nation. While the district,
county. and municipal governments must
OF necessity deal with the construction Of
roads primarily. the idea came TO the
front IN this convention that the highway
to be effective must begin somewhere.
end somewhere. at definite points. and be
throughout its length.
With this central idea before the con
vention, the delegates assembled here
from FIVE States and forty counties en-
tered into the consideration of highway
building in all its details. But mainly
the deliberations took the direction OF
how best 10 cooperate toward the con-
struction of great State roads and county
roads that now and IN the future should
be OF service 70 the visiting tourist as
well a. the local farmer. What the con-
vcntion said IN 50 many words was that
this mountain region needs an improved
system OF good roads for its proper de-
velopment that shall be laid out and
constructed with the idea OF service to
the greatest number.
Where the Extremes Meet.
During the convention speakers talked
OF tho city dweller and HIS longing for
the country by way Of escape from the
eternal glare Of bricks and mortar. They
talked of the farmer and his isolation al
most equal TO hermitage; his need 10
reach his brethren in other localities. and
20 get into communication with the towns
and cities where people are congregated.
10 make money quickly and in large vol
ume with which 10 buy his products was
enlarged upon. The city dweller and the
farmer were designated as the extremes
which meet in the good roads movement
Railroads. through their representatives.
proved the dependence Of the great lines
OF trafflo upon good roads throughout the
territory they reach. Land owners de-
scribed the land poverty caused by bad
roads. and the land riches which would
follow the opening Of decent highways.
The proceedings Of this convention re-
solved itself finally into a campaign for
better transportation facilities as a uni
flying principle, which would make this
mountain region blossom and derive the
best results from its long isolated and
handicapped industry. Tho movement
was described toward the end Of the
convention as one which had for It's OBJ
1ect the creation of better, richer, and
happier communities. more prosperous
counties. richer States. and a more DOW
erful nation. Thus broadly did the dis
cussion Of this good roads convention run.
Effects an Organization.
The best thing accomplished by the con-
vention was to organize permanently with
a view TO future meetings and a con-
tinuation OF the campaign so auspicIously
begun. DR.. Joseph H. Pratt was made
president, and w. L. Spoon was elected
secretary. Both these men are connected
with the State geological survey OF North
Carolina, and are among the foremost au-
thorities on highway building In the
State.
In the course OF the discussion a high
way was advocated from Charlotte to
Knoxville by way Of Asheville. Another
would run from Asheville to Columbia,
through Hendersonville and Greenville.
Another route proposed was from Ashe-
vile 20 Waynesboro, and on indeh-
nitely into the State Of Georgia These
were but a few OF the trunk lines of
highways which it was pointed out would
be necessary to the future development
VI LIb lCIIlADiy represented IN Inc con-
vention- 1t was proposed that the ef-
forts OF local governments should be d.
rected toward working out these great
roads first as being the important feed
ers OF the region. The roads naturally
must be built piecemeal. but the object
OF the convention is that these great
roads shall be constructed throughout
their length by local governments within
the next few years.
Pieces Will be constructed by the most
active governments and the breaks filled
IN as rapidly as possible. The associa-
ton Will have for one OF its purposes a
watchful eye upon the progress OF road
building. so that the money shall be |
we'll spent and properly spent 10 bring |
about the best results. Moreover the |
association will see to Il that a trunk |
line Of road shall not be left valueless !
by q four-mile stretch OF mud and I'M
improved road somewhere which would |
nullify all the good work which might |
be done IN other communities.
In short the plans set going in this \
convention have the specific purpose IN /
view Of building these long state roads. |
which shall put this southern country
into communication with the regions |
beyond the shadow Of the great hills
which the Creator reared here for the
delight and happiness Of man.