Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-11
ROAD BUILDERS Of
GEORGIA MEET AND
SWAP GOOD IDEAS
Session of Georgia Federation
of Road Authorities Shows
Big Attendance of Officers
From Many Counties
EXPERTS HEAR EXPERTS
TELL HOW TO DO WORK

A surprisingly large response to Tire
call for the second convention of the
Georgia Federation of Road Authorities
was shown. Wednesday morning. by the
numerous assembly attending the session
in the hall of representatives at the capi-
toll.
Judge w. Fl. Eve, of Augusta. elected
president last November at the initial or
ganization meeting of the federation. cali
ed the hundred county road commissions
ers, representing every part of Georgia,
to order at 10 o'clock From then till the
adjournment of the meeting. shortly after
o'clock, the closest attention was paid
by every man in the hall.
The speakers were Governor Brown
Chairman Hutchens. of the prison COM
mission: Judge Moore. of Savannah; Prof.
McCallie, state geologist: Prof. Strahan.
of the University of Georgia.; S. w. KEEL
lar formerly of the United States road
county.
This was really the federations first
meeting as the session last November
was a starter for the work that has now
begun.
In his Introductory speech, Judge Eve
SalQ InaI the GOdQ DUllOiIS QQcSllOu luus
since ceased to be a local or neighbor-
hood problem. 1t grew till it took in the
counties. Then it extended to the state,
and now il has interested the national
government. A bill is pending before con-
gress, he said, to create bureau of pub
lie roads for the coordination Of state
road work and the creation of a national
system of roads.
GOVERNOR BROWN SPEAKS.
AnDIa,.Sa orraated COva-nOr BROWN when
at 1880 o'clock he appeared under the
escort of a committee sent to accompany
him. Judge Eve presented him to the
assembly.
GOVERNOR BROWN TALKS.
The governor congratulated the practi-
cal road-builders before him upon the
work they have done during the past
year. He said he could not be expected
to make an address on road-building in
the presence of men who are experts in
that work.
"The good roads movement which at
length has taken hold" said he, is the
haFbEnssr off, aaeticaily all the better
things which we may expect in the fu-
ture. 1t binds the city and the county
together; or rather 1t makes the city and
the county one"
Governor Brown said that people are
always suspicious of each other till they
understand each other. tin they get to-
gether THAT is what good roads tend
to do, to bring US together, TO make
us understand each other. That is one
of the greatest benefits of good roads,
building"
The governor touched briefly upon the
relation of good roads to prosperity
in The official capacity with which you
have honored me, / feel greatly honored
to be with you. / believe the executive
of Georgia could not be thrown with any
body of men who are doing greater things
for Georgia than you"
CHAIRMAN HUTCHENS SPEAKS.
Chairman G. r. Hutchens, of the pris-
on commission, was introduced as the
next speaker.
Chairman Hutchens said that the pris-
on commission, as the authority Ia
charge of the road working forces of the
state, does not intend to assume part
in the direction of their local affairs by
the county officers before him.
He said that the policy of the prison
commission is to cooperate. with the
county authorities, to advise with them
and frequently to get suggestions from
them as to how to best manage the af-
fairs of the prison department; to aid
the county authorities wherever possible,
and to facilitate the great enterprise or
road building which they now have in
hand. He pictured the advantages of
good roads. the benefits that Georgia
is already realizing frcm her highways
improvements, the growth and future of
the state, and the elements Of civic hon.
or and personal integrity in her servants
that make the states hold on the future
certain and sure.
Chairman Eve expressed regret that
Judge George T. Cam. OF Savannah.
had not been able to come to the con-
vention, but pleasure that to speak for
him he had delegated Judge A B. Moore,
also of Savannah. Judge Moore,
with a brief extemporaneous introduction
read a powerful presentation Of the good
roads subject which Judge Cam. had
reduced to writing.
GOOD ROADS AND GOOD HEALTH.
That presentation, ably made, was
termed "A Few Suggestions About Inn
proved Roads, 1t showed that in 1904
less than per cent of Improvement was
made on Georgia roads. The drainage
so necessary to good roads improves land
and even improves health conditions. AS
Georgia continues to grow, SO will traf-
fic over her public roads increase. States
which have the highest percentage OF
improved roads have the largest popula-
ton per mile of road.
Farmers should be taught to feel that
all road taxes should be paid in cash in
order that persons having practical
knowledge may be employed and charged
to devote their whole time to the work
Judge CAMS statement also advised
employment of civil engineers and use
of modern methods and competent Of
ficers in administration and operation.
ABOLISH WORKING OUT ROAD TAX
The working out of road taxes should
be abolished, because that practice is
wasteful and unscientific, and therefore
extravagant and inefficient. 1t would noe
be difficult to show that the best results
for public roads have been obtained
where statute labor has been abolished
and road taxes paid chiefly in cash.
Money spent for roads is not enough to
warrant bitter controversies in counties.
Any county can afford to build one mile
of good road. After that. when they see
what good road is, all the outlying res
idents Of the county viii be besieging
the officers for extensions OF the road
and viii be perfectly willing to see some
of the tax money spent that way.
STATE ROAD OFFICE.
Judge Cam advocated I'm his statement
the establishment Of an Office of public
roads in the state department OF agricul-
ture, for the gathering and dissemination