The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-03
FRANK SMITH TALKS
 OF EUROPE'S ROADS
Not Remarkable When Age Is
 Considered
GONE FOR THREE MONTHS
Says Alabama Hns Only Been Building Good Roads for Twenty Years While Europe Hns Been at It for
 Five Hundred

After a three months bridal trip to Europe, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank W. Smith returned to Birmingham yesterday morn
 ing.
 MT. Smith and Miss Cash of Memphis were married in Memphis and left i'm mediately for Europe. They were accom- panied by Miss Grace Smith and Jack will remain abroad for several more weeks.
 The Smiths visited all of the promi- nent European eenters and journeyed to see the famous Passion Play at Oberam- mergau.
 MT. Smith, in speaking yesterday of the trip, was the only returning European traveller to reach Birmingham who de- fends the local road conditions as com pared to those in Europe. He did not state that Alabama roads are as good, but from a point of years in construc- ton the former mayor of Elyton stated that Alabama roads are not so bad after all.
 Roads interest almost every American traveller" said MT Smith. This is due to the fact that almost every person in moderate circumstances owns an automo- bile or other vehicle and travels great deal in the rural districts. So roads are the real interest centers to many and especially the automobile owners.
 T would not attempt to compare the roads in this state to those of Europe from a point of fine construction or main tenance However. when the fact is taken into consideration that the roads of this state have been constructed in about 20 years and the European roads in 800 years their superior condition is not to be marveled at It will be re- called that Napoleon the Great himself was a believer in better roads and per sonally constructed the roads of France. They are simply like our asphalt pave ments and cannot be improved upon. The maintenance is the secret of the road con- dition of Europe. The English roads have every few miles a keeper. The roads are first constructed well and when a small rut appears a keeper starts out and finds it. It is quickly repaired and made as good if not better than when first constructed. The keepers have a small house every mile or so where they keep materials, shovels and rakes These handy tools and materials make It very easy for them to keep the highways in perfect condition.
 'I do not believe that it will be a great while before our people come to appreciate roads more. The broad views held by the officials of this country as well as their commercial spirit will go a long way in solving the road proposi- ton. I believe a few years will witness a national highway commission. Amer lea has a chance of benefitng from 500 years of mistakes and errors in road building if they will study Europe. The small mistakes made there may be avoid- ed here if the time and trouble are taken to inspect the highways of that country.
 While away we rode out into the country frequently by automobile and it was as if lon the best avenue in the city.
 "On the matter of roads they have us very much bested, but when It comes to energy, brains, perseverance, wit, and the spirit of doing things. the countries of Europe are back numbers compared to America I believe America is des- tined to over-reach any of them in the commercial world and that In no great while AS 1t is now, we have them pretty well on the run
 MT. and Mrs. Frank w. Smith will be at home with Capt. and Mrs. Thomas S. Smith in Elyton until their new home is completed