The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-22
AUTOMOBILE AN
GOSSIP 3 N.--".

portant of all. the Motor league of the
state of Louisiana
More than two and half years ago,
at the formation of this organization, the
campaign for improved highways was
commenced by T. M. Miner, president,
and Victor Aschaffenberg, secretary both
of them enthusiastic Automobiles. 1t
was figured that $4,000 would be neces-
sary to complete the first road to show to
the enter state the advantage of i'm
proved service with the lessened cost OF
transportation If the system would be
extended. and certain old trail, built 80
years ago. leading to Chef Menteur, was
selected as an experimental site. This Is
in New Orleans parish, and leads to
most renowned hunting and fishing
ground which formerly could be reached
only by train boat and swamp In many
hours Moreover 1t lay through a country
of luxuriant southern foliage. where
splendid live oak trees and hanging Span
ish moss formed a draped highway over
head Chef Menteur has splendid
natural harbor and when the Louisville
and Nashville railroad completes the draw
in its trestle, which now locks Chef Men
teur harbor, yachts and oyster schooners
will have a road 30 miles shorter through
Lake Borne from the gulf into the Mis-
sissippi at New Orleans.
fOT survey VI tIllS
seven New Orleans motorists contributed
500 each, and the city engineer, W. j.
Hardee, made the inspection, reporting
that 1t was thoroughly feasible. though
very difficult The city council appro-
priated $1,000 to experiment and the
mayor gave his assurance that If the
road was constructed by the Motor
league it would be maintained by the
city. 1t was at this time that the most
remarkable support of all was received
from Governor Sanders, who conceived
the plan of forming state convict camps
for use on the roads, where they would
benefit the public instead of simply pay
ing for their own expenses on the state
sugar and coffee plantations. So in con-
junction with the state authorities the
automobilists organized first camp OF
"a negro convicts, who are watched by,
armed guards, and the Motor league Sc
cured them upon the following basis: To
pay for all food. the salary of the guards,
one-half the cost of the resident engineer
and the fee of the visiting physician who
inspects the negroes three times a week;
and the state agreed to furnish the camp
equipment consisting of one commits
sary wagon, one or two berth wagons
and such tents and other outfit as were
necessary, and also a portable screened
jail. The Motor league paid for the
screpers and road machines.
On February q OF this year the actual
work on the roadway was commenced.
and the first formal inspection took place
two months later. In this time, working
six days a week. the convicts had dug
bitches and graded and crowned roads
for a distance of about four miles from
Geptilly road to Michaud station, and
they have given positive assurance of the
success of this great undertaking. It is
estimated that it may take eight months
longer before the preliminary. or COM
paratively rough work. is completed. and
perhaps in this time the top coating of
gravel with a heavy dressing of asphalt
tum oil may be put on.
The evident success of this experiment
Is leading other parishes in that state to
inquire about the movement, and Gov
ernor Sanders has. assured them that they
may receive organized camps of convict
laborcrs upon the same terms as those
quoted to the Motor league The plans
for the future are rapidly being made,
and they call for belt road around the
entire state with number Of well pre-
pared feeders into the interior. Definite
ideae are being formed as TO a series Of
roads which would lead from New Or