New-York tribune., 1911-12-14
FAILS TO ALARM BRUSH' WOMEN AND GOOD ROADS
The Former a Power in Bringing
About Better Conditions.

Women will he instrumental I'm Dullilhs
the good roads Of this country" stated
Thomas W. Wlby, who arrived I'm this
city yesterday from transcontinental
automobile tour "In the West IT IS the
women who are achieving this great work.
= he Daughters Of the American Revolution
are displaying the same spirit which won a
continent. A national highway from coast
TO coast Is n certainty. But it will never he
built by Uncle Sam.
politicians Of both parties appear TO be
afraid Of undertaking the task. Therefore,
the women have stepped into tho breach.
The women Of the Kansas city Chapter Of
the Daughters of the American Revolution
have undertaken to build the old Santa Pc
trail. not only as an historic monument
but as a part Of the highway. II will really
he n peoples highway. and it is my pre-
diction that from the Atlantic 20 the Pa
c.fic it will in the main be completed within
two years"
Mr.. Willy, his wife and Fred II. Clark,
the latter a driver made the tour, which
included 500 miles, in lOj days under the
direction OF tho Touring club OF America.
Mr.. Wilby also received an appointment rs
special agent of public roads from Wash
irgton. He is to issue an official report on
the condition Of road Improvement in the
United states.
The tour. Mr.. Wiby explained at a re-
ception and luncheon 1T the Holland House
yesterday. was the first OF circular nature
ever made I'm this country. He passed
through twenty-five states and territories
and even crossed the border line into old
Mexico. The "trip was made TO demonstrate
that a motorist could travel from coast to
coast and back. without camping equipment
Of any kind ard I'm safety Mrs. Wilby ac-
Companicd him for the purpose Of demon
strating that The old cry of hardships was
largely a myth and that the trip was one
which q woman could take with reasonable
comfort and enjoyment.
In relating his experiences Nr Nilby
said that the best roads were found IN New
Jersey and California. Throughout the
country however. the local highway officials
were all eager for Improvement and doing
all the work tlst vas possible. Tho West
erners were especially active I'm boosting tho
cause of good roads. as they realized that
+; would mean the rapid development OF the
country.
stock Ohio touring car of 40 horsepower.
left this city on August 81. II arrived In
san Francisco forty Gavs later. only thirty
three days being doJ otcd to actual running.
The same car had crossed the continent
twice before. on the trip just completed the
only repair necessary was the replacement
Of q spring.
Mrs Wilby spoke Of the pleasures of tho
trip. She declared that it was easy FOR
woman. and that the delights of the wonder
ful scenery OF this country afforded ample
compensation for any slight dscomforts
that she experienced. Both she and her
husband had travelled in Europe. but with
charming enthusiasm she declared that the
beauties Of the old World were not 20 be
compared with the marvellous scenery OF
the New World
Fred Clark. who drove the car, added in
teresting figures TO bis talk. Gasolenc had
cost from ! - cents 20 30 cents q gallon,
the latter price being paid in Arizona. The
average price was about 2J cents a gallon.
and the average mileage per gallon was
eleven miles. The cost week for car and
man. including living and car expenses, had
been at the rate Of S5J. Mud ne said. was
the only thing to bs feared, but with the
building OF good roads this difficulty would
disappear
i. : Elliott. secretary OF the Touring
club Of America presided at the luncheon,
which was attended by thirty guests. The
ma jority of these were interested in the
touring problem i'm this country and asked
many questions as TO conditions and other
matters pertaining TO the trip.