Mexico weekly ledger., 1911-07-27


roads, farmers and their wives and
children had gathered to cheer the
governor and boost the north route.
frequently, dhe roads were lined on
both sides by persons with torches
who cheered as the official party and
the Mexico Reception Committee spe
past. Flags and banners adorned ey-
cry farm gate along the route
through this county.
A committee of twenty-five busi-
ness men of this city met Governor
Hadley's party at vandalia and a
similar representation met the sec.
ond division at Wellsville. Mex
ico's autos led the way across the
east portion Of the county into this
city. The trip from Vandalia to
Mexico was made in an hour and a
half.
Monday might the Elks Club
rooms were crowded with representa-
tives from Hannibal, New London,
Center. Perry, Wellsvine, Montgom-
cry City, Martinsburg, Vandalia and
Sturgeon who came here to boost the
north route of the proposed across
state highway. A smoker for the in
specting party and the visitors was
given. Governor Hadley made the
principal address of the evening. Geo.
Robertson, president of the Mexico
Business Mems Association, and one
of the north routes hardest working
enthusiasts, presided at the meet
ing. He set forth the claims of An
drain county and Mexico to this
route and others voice this senti-
ment.
Motorists in the st. Louis party
are very enthusiastic over the roads
encountered Monday. The route
through Audrain had previously been
marked with flags and the road ha
been carefully graded and dragged.
SMOKER at Eiks Rooms,
The Club Rooms were filled to ca
paclty by good roads boosters to hear
the opinions of the members of the
inspecting party in regard 70 plans
for better highways. George Robert
son, who presided, set forth a number
OF reasons why this route should be
selected. He showed that by taking
the Montgomery cutoff TO this city
and then selecting the road laid out
In the Blue Book Of the National.Au-
tomobile Association west of here
which leads from Renick to Higbee
in a direct line, that the north route
could be made the shortest way be-
tween st. Louis and Kansas City.
s. ]. Roy, secretary of the CONNER
cial Club of Hannibal spoke of
the good Of commercial clubs. He
said that Hannibal was going to
have highway to Mexico, no matter
what way the across-State route went
President Meyers of the Hannibal
Commercial Club spoke. He said
if this State did not do anything else,
Missouri should have better roads,
and that Hannibal regardless of the
State route is going to do everything
to get better roads.
Sam Sharp, of Montgomery City,
spoke in favor of the movement.
Sam Gill of Rails county also spoke
in favor of the project. He said the
across-State route is the backbone
to better highways. what the Han
nibal, Perry and New London boost
ers want is rib"
John Gatson of the Audrain county
court said this body had promised to
try to do anything in the way of
getting the northern route selected
and Mr.. Gatson told his audience tha
If this way was selected the court in
tended to do all they can to make
the route through this county better
than the route through any other
county.
Geo. ]. Tansey president Of the
st. Louis Transfer Co., said the peo-
pie of st. Louis were a disinterested
party as far as being in favor of the
northern, central or southern route,
for st. Louis would be the terminus,
anyway, but that every citizen OF
the metropolis is in favor of good
roads, and they are going to work
hard for better highways.
Governor Herbert H. Hadley, the
speaker of the evening, said the
question of better highways is one OF
the most vital questions of to-day. Il
said the Romans boasted of better
highways hundreds of years ago than
there are to-day, Good highways
are the backbone of civilization, and
that no civilized country can ad-
vance or prosper without good roads
L., cd tn