The San Francisco call., 1910-02-13
GOOD ROADS IS
NOW THE SLOGAN
Annual Dealers Mud Plug Will
Show Up Bad Condition of
Course Around the Bay
President H. NJ. Owens of Motor
Club Starts Scheme for
Better Highways
Bv r. r. EHoMMEDIEU

The second annual mud plug of the
Automobile Dealers association Of San
Francisco viii he held today 1t is
hard TO realize from the pleasant
weather and the dry streets that such
. contest would he possible. yet the
daring ones-those who have ventured
beyond The limits OF the city-regret-
fully report that such contest is pos
sible The roads of South City and
the upper end Of san Mateo county are
in a frightful condition. soft, watery,
mushy mud foods. ard those who have
plowed through them say that one hour
and 2 half viii be good running time
10 san Mateo. This will leave but
three hours and half for the re-
nsinder Of the trip 10 Oakland II
good weather prevails today this can
easily be accomplished on the Oakland
side Of the bay. where the citizens and
county officials take pride in the con-
dition or their roads.
But the contestants will have to re-
turn. And this leaves the hardest
known part OF the trip practically at
the finish. The competing cars viii
have 10 he brought 10 San Mateo with
\ goodly margin Of time 70 insure a
perfect score. and ii would not be sur
prising If many who now consider this
an easy end to accomplish were greatly
There has been movement started in
the san Francisco motor club for
concerted action toward the better
ment Of highways. Last week Presi-
dent II. NJ. Owens had conference. in
which d most aggressive campaign was
decided on.
MOTOR CLUBS PLANNED
The plan as outlined is the forma-
tion in every county of motor club.
The membership is not TO be restrict
ed 10 motorists alone. but will be open
10 every one Interested in the better
ment OF the roads. The plan is not
conciliatory one, but one that means
fight from the start. The fight will be
carried into the political arena
When the different political parties
have made their nominations at the
next election and elections TO follow.
candidates viii be canvassed and only
those indorsed who are strictly in ac-
cord with an Improvement over the
present condition. irrespective of the
parties with which they are affiliated.
The state register, December 81, re-
ported that 2e.6S6 licenses To operate
motor vehicles had been issued TAX
ing this number into consideration,
with 1884 licenses issued to chauf-
feurs, il viii be seen that there are
more than 10000 persons who are
directly interested in good roads
through the automobile alone, and
when these are thoroughly organized
it will mean the election or defeat Of
any state official.
The plan. as outlined, does not stop
at the county work, but viii be carried
forth in behalf Of state highway.
President owens has received q let
ter from Cecil A West, who writes as
secretary Of the Ukiah auto and good
roads club. West SAYS the club has
started q movement for the improve
rnent of the road between Cloverdale
and Ukiah as its first work. When this
is accomplished the club win turn its
attention TO other roads of the county
and proposes not to cease its labors
until its object is accomplished. The
formation of this club is in harmony
with the plan already devised by Presi-
dent owens