The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-30
CU[LMAN ROYALTY
 ENTERTA|NS PARTY
Ledger Scouting Party Met By Delegation and
 Banqueted

Cullman, August 29-(Special.) )-The largest and possibly the most enthusi- astic body of men composing scouting party for the location of model hlgh- way through Alabama arrived in Gull man at 9:3o o'clock last night, after strenuous day, stopping at several places along the proposed route or the road where they were most enthusi- astically received and entertained by the people
 Included in the scouting party are some of the most influential and most prominent advocates of good roads in the state, most notably among them be- ing United States Senator John H. Bankhead. who is known as the apostle of good roads in Alabama; John Craft of Mobile, president of the Alabama Good Roads association; Asa Rountree. that prince of good roads enthusiasts and secretary of this association; John w O'Neill, president of the Jefferson County Good Roads association; w. S Kellar, state highway engineer; State Senator Adkins of Selma, member of the state highway commissions Job Go- ing, c. B. Rogers, pr. J. B. Vines, com missioners of Jefferson county.
 The party came to Cullman in ten auto mobiles, and were met at Garden City by party consisting of some 10 of Gull mans most representative citizens. from which place the party proceed to Hance- vile, where a public meeting was held, and after which an eight course dinner was served at the Gillispie hotel. The meetings at Hanceville and Garden City were presided over by Mayor M. l.. Rob- ertson of Cullman, who also acted in the capacity of toastmaster at the banquet at the Gillispie hotel
 After the banquet the party proceeded to Cullman. reaching this city about 9:30 o'clock, where they were received at the hotels, arrangements having been previ- ously made by the local committee on en- tertainment.
 At 9:90 this morning a meeting was held at the Esther opera house, which was presided over by Mayor Robertson, who introduced as the first speaker. W. s. kelar. who made a speech of about 90 minutes on the importance of good roads. MT. Kellar was followed by Sena- tor Bankhead, who said he felt that he was one of the sponsors for Cullman county. MT. Bankheads speech was con- fined generally to feasibility of securing federal aid in the maintenance of good roads in this country. He also said that the only way in which a people might ever hope to improve their road system was by a bond issue.
 Several other speeches were made on the subject of good roads and this spe- cial highway through the state by John Craft of Mobile J. Asa Rountree of Bir- mingham. and others. MT Rountree gave as a matter of history the fact that the people of this county were the ones who were due the credit for first putting forth any effort for this great highway Four years ago at an agricultural rally held in Culman, said MT. Rountree, as resolution was introduced and adopted to organize an association for this sole pur- pose. and since that time the matter had been brought to the attention of the people at intervals. These speeches were followed by the introduction of reso- lution by General r. V. Tilford endorsing the movement and complmenting the party for their interest and enthusiasm in making this trip to blaze the way for this proposed highway.
 After a few other short talks by prom inent men of the party, the meeting was closed with a short speech by James J. Smith of the Birmingham Ledger, who extended on behalf of the securing party, sincere thanks for the hospitality which had been extended to them during their brief stay with the people of this city. He also complimented the ladies who were present at the meeting for their interest in the good roads movement.
 The party left Cuiman today at il o'clock for Falkvile and Hartselle in Morgan county, where the people have prepared royal entertainment for them, and meeting lasting some two hours will be held in Hartselle. and after which they will proceed to Decatur returning to Birmingham by way of Blountsville tomorrow and next day.