New-York tribune., 1911-11-21
TAFT FAVORS GOOD ROADS,
Sends Hearty Endorsement OF the
Movement to Convention.
300 DELEGATES ATTEND
Secretary Wilson Says Good
Roads Will Cheaper Living
and Aid Farmers.

Richmond. Va. Nov. c.-The first Amer
lean Good Roads Congress opened here to-
day without It's most distinguished dele
gate-Presdent Taft. Last night the Presl.
dent telegraphed that the White House
physicians forbade him to visit Richmond
because Of the development Of a cold.
President Taft, m telesraphing his re-
grets, said:
I have been looking forward to taking
part In the Good Roads Congress with a
great deal Of pleasure, because I am ir
sympathy with the movement. which IL
gaining strength I'm every state and In the
nation for the construction OF permanent
good roads
The effect they will have In increasing
the value Of farms. in making the lives
OF farmers and their families much more
full OF comfort. and In the general benefit
conferred by greater ease Of intercom-
munication the country over. cannot be
exaggerated J wish ! could be present to
utter my approval and Encouragement.
The Secretary Of Agriculture. James VII
son, came, however, as the Presidents
representative. and was the guest Of honor
at most of the social affairs which had
been planned for the President. ABOUT
three hundred delegates attended the first
days session.
Senator Martin, of Virginia, In an address
to the delegates, declared himself In favor
of federal appropriation OF at least SSo'-
OoO 900 a year for road improvement sena-
tor Swanson, OF Virginia. and Senator
Bankhead, of Alabama, who sat on the
platform. indicated their approval. Sena-
tor Martin said he would favor cutting
down -he rivers and harbors appropria-
ton. or II necessary have the Treasury
issue bonds for the work He pledged him
self to work for some sort OF a plan az
the coming Congress. and said ne "ouio
ask President Taft to touch upon the SUD-
ject in his message ID Congress
President w. w. Finley, OF the SoutherH
Railway, declared the good roaos propa
ganda was part Of the back to the iarIh
movement. and that its development was
of common value to all communities.
Good roads as related to the cost OF hV-
ing was discussed by United states secre'
tary Of Agriculture James Wilson lie oe-
clared the cost of living would be reuuceo
when there was established more intimate
relation between the producer and the con-
sumer With the increase In the GOOD roao
mileage. the parcels post, he said' "ouio
nerfect the facilities for getting from the
farm to the town.
Relations between farmers and town
folks can be established" he explained
FOR the prompt transfer, daily or weekly
Of much that the farmer produces and town
people consume At present when the town
far cats
or less. With parcels post the FARMER
would get more. the carrier would get MS
freight. and the consumer would get his
supplies promptly. fresh and good. Dairy
products, fruits, meats and vegetables are
transferred in this way in other countries
with great satisfaction to all concerned
and with less unhealthy food fewer pto-
malnes and less frequent stomach
troubles"
Turning to what has been done in this
direction by the Department OF Agriculture
through its bureau OF good roads, the sec
retary declared that as result OF OBJECT
lesson roads constructed by the bureau In
various states nearly ten thousand miles
OF good roads had been built. Last year
II was found from a careful investigation
made In connection with twenty eight short
object-lesson roads. none of them more
than a mile In length, that 7So miles of ad-
ditional road had been constructed and
that an increase Of sl.50oOOO had been ex-
pended in the work.
These object-lesson roads" he contin-
ued. "are constructed under the direction
of engineers from the bureau of good roads,
whose services are given absolutely free OF
cost TO the local communities, although
the road itself must be built at the cost OF
the locality"