The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-13

by the labor of those between the years of q and 45, residing in the precinct, the great mass of the wealth, property and population of the county Is relieved of the burden of road-building, with the consequent result that all we can hope to secure by the present system are high ways that are fit for travel during only portion of the year The first essential conclusion to be drawn from our own, as well as fro mthe experiences of other states, is that only by state and county aid combined and by system which places the burden of road-making not upon part of the population, but upon all the people, the wealth. property of the state and county, can we expect to secure system of good roads; in other words, system of taxation upon all the wealth and population of the county and state must be adopted. This can be accomplished by county bond issues, for the payment of which all the property of the. county Is liable, or by direct county taxation as authorized by section 215 of the constitution In addi- tion to the maximum limitation of one half of l per cent of the taxable prop erty in each county, each county can levy a special tax for roads not to ex7 ceed one-fourth of 1 per centum. In my judgment, however, the first step which
 
 cure adequate highways in Alabama is the establishment of a state highway commission. The good roads department of the state should be presided over by civil engineer who is an expert in road building, and he should be invested with authority to supervise the construction of all the roads in Alabama. The crea- tion of such a department will not en- tail any very great cost, and will secure cafon f4o ora1 making in Alabama. It will place at the disposal of every county Of the state not only the knowledge of a skilled expert, but the results of experience and knowl- edge of every state of the union and of foreign lands Such a department will gather for use all the scientific informa- tion which can be obtained as to the best methods, the most suitable material in each county for road building, but will also be the first and most important step in scientific effort to secure an ade- quate, uniform and thorough system of public roads in the state
 Wants to Make Greatest Advance
 When I enter upon the dischArge of the important duties of the office to which I expect to be elected in Novem- Der 1t will be my ambition to have my administration mark the greatest advance SNcl Jol iidut III AlaDamd In the struction of good roads and highways All the influence and power and prestige of my office shall be used to encourage and stimulate the building of good roads. and the inauguration of a system which will give every county in Alabama roads equal to the most progressive and advanced states of the union Notwith- standing climate and soil and our unequaled resources, we should not for get that unless we have the patriotism to secure an adequate system of public roads Alabama will never reach the highest development or take her proper rank In the sisterhood of states. If during my administration I can secure a wiser and better system of public roads In Alabama, the development, the prosperity and the progress which will necessarily follow will entitle me to the gratitude and thanks of generations yet unborn. It will Justify the ardent hopes of my friends and secure even from my political enemies words of commenda- ton.
 Now, gentlemen, who have unselhsh- ly given your time, your talents, your influence and services to this great movement deserve the thanks of every patriotic Alabamian. and you will have the profound satisfaction of knowing that you have been leaders and pioneers in movement which will enable Ala bama, like an awakened giant, to move forward to greater and more lasting trfumphs in all the fields of progress and development. The production of our state has increased more rapidly than our means of transportation, and the growth of our population and of our production imperatively demand and re- quire additional and cheaper facilities to reach the markets of the state and of the world. I have confidence that the widespread sentiment in favor of the improvement of our rural roads and highways will soon result in securing not only to Alabama, but to all parts of our common. country, better and i'm proved facilities for transportation and enable our great republic to take hei proper position with the most advanced nations of the old world.
 "It is conceded that the cost of trans portation today over the unimprovec roads of this country is from two tc three times as much as the cost for simi- lar products and tonnage over the im- proved roads of Europe, the average cost in this country being 25 cents per ton per mile, compared with about cents per ton per mile over the mac adamized and improved roads of Flu rope. We should heed the warning les sons of history and remember that no nation or state has ever yet attained its highest state of development and civili- zation without system of adequate and improved public roads,"
 Other Addresses During Afternoon
 Besides the notable address of Emmet O'Neal, a number of papers were read before the convention yesterday after noon. pr. W. F. Prouty. chief assistant of the state geological survey, spoke in- terestingly on Road Building Material" his address being a scholarly exposition of the quality of Alabama rock and its value as road building material.
 Dr. Prouty stated there are three prin- cipal physiographic divisions of Alabama,