The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-05-25

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|of Iowa have reached the point where
the value Of good roads are more fully
recognized than ever before, and thai
under proper leadership they are pre-
pared to take a step in the direction
|of setting up ned standard for the
highways of our state, which shall
bring them into harmony with our
rapid development along all other
lines.
Resolved, That we express our
thanks to the speakers who have so
kindly volunteered to address the PEG
pie along the line in the pilgrimage
and to all others who have in any way
contributed to make this gathering a
success. Committee.
Chairman Haas Speaks.
/ In taking the permanent chairman
ship Mr.. Haag delivered an address.
which was considered one Of the best
|of the convention. Mr.. Haag's many
years Of experience in road making
have placed him in a position of know
ing just what he Is talking about. He
started by saying that the Transcon-
tinental route was an official one. The
Paris racers used this route across
the state because it was the shortest
and best. The government automo-
biles carrying messages from the east
to San Francisco passed through here
|en route west. In fact, all great tours
have passed through this city. This
route is good enough; it is the short
lest, the best, the most feasible, has
the fewest hills, fewest foundations,
fewest sharp curves, prettiest scenery
and best people of any across the
state route. There are no objection
able features, according to Mr.. Haag.
He has travelled over this route a num-
Der Of times and other routes and
spoke from actual experience. A dirt
road is ideal when kept right and
when constructed right. Do away
with the wooden bridgs and erect con.
crete and steel structures. The i'm
provement of dirt roads means much
to the farmers as well as to tn auto
mobile owners. Mr.. Haag said that he
could get S. more per acre on farms
located along gravel road than on
farms where the roads were not kept
lup well. Gravel in Boone. Greene and
Carroll counties is found in abundance
and there is no asset. SO valuable to q
county as good gravel beds. Here Mr..
Haag said that the finest gravel bed
in the state was at the foot Of the
Montana hill. A graveled road needs
only two draggings year, and the life
of the gravel is nine years. 1t is
cheap to construct a gravel road and
easily maintained. Men Of experience
are needed in the road work and q
practical engineers road service
should be at the service Of every coun
lty board of supervisors. He does moi
favor general tilling of the roads
but only where the natural drainage
will not carry on the water.
Mr.. Rollins Responds
Secretary Rollins told OF the start
of the movement for the completion
of the Transcontinental route across
iowa. The many letters OF encour
agement which he had received spoke
OF the widespread interest in this
movement. On behalf of the Denisor
committee he wished to thank all who
had in any way aided the movement
He said that in being elected secretary
of the association he would do the bes
he could, and always be Johnny OF
the Spot"
i The Blue Book Route.
4 "A committee composed Of the chair
James Frederick of Clinton and Alvin
Ketchum of Marshalltown was ap
pointed to consult with the Blue Bool
land Motor Age regarding the publica
Ition Of the convention notes and tn,
continuance in the Blue Book of thu
i Transcontinental route across, Iowa
Here motion was made that the
lDenison club, which has been to some
|expense in the matter Of preliminary
printing, ETC., be reimbursed, and wal
tnauooN NIT &n,,k !. l., -