The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-11
PATHF|NOERS MEET
WITH PRESIDENT
Party from Richmond Receive
Unexpected Salute At
White House
CARS MAKE TRIP TO
START NEW HIGHWAY
Tourists Get Real Reception
Along Route but Find
That Stafford Coun-
ty Lacks Roads


automobiles. plastered with mud, roll
ed down Pennsylvania avenue this
morning just as President Taft en-
tered the White House grounds. The
president raised his hat. but only the
occupants of the rear car saw the
salutation and they were not sure II
was intended for them. 1t was, how
ever, and the presidents guard, a
soldieriy figure in kahki, mounted on
a motorcycle. looked after the two big
machines curiously as they moved
leisurely down the avenue. So did
the others they passed.
Both automobiles flew q blue pen
nant with the letter "R. A. c." in
orange. upon them, which signifies
Richmond Automobile Club"
Although the president did not
know 1t. the two machines had just
finished run which bids to become
famous, for they were the pathfinding
cars Of the Richmond to Washington
highway delegation.
Paahfinding Party.
In the pathnnding party were r. A
Airport, of the Richmond Automobile
Club: A. L. Westgaro. official map
maker, of the American Autom o bile
Association: President Preston Belvin.
of the Virginia State Automobile AS
ISOLATION: Lewis Shuman and George
w. Hunter, who occupied the leading
car. In the second machine were Il.
K. Hazeigrove, of the Kicnmond Auto
mobile Club; Captain =. St Julien
Wilson, State Highway Commissioner
for Virginia. l.. b. Manviile. VINO su-
perintended the building of the sand
clay road between the Richmond and
Newport News. &. A. Shuman and L.
II. Cegbill and Jay Lewis or the Rich
mond Virgintan.
The party left Richmond Saturday
morning and expected to arrive in
Washington that night. but they had
not reckoned on the reception they
received along the route and es-
pscially they had not reckoned on
the roads OF Stafford county.
stafford County Roads
When we started out." said Lewis
Shuman, Mr.. Westgard. who has
toured all over the country and has
just returned from transcontinen.al
trip. said that the roads in Virginia
were not SO bad. They really, on
the contrary, were very good. This
was while We We're on the Richmond
side Of Fredericksburg. After We
had crossed the Rappahonnock river
ne was asked again for his opinion.
He said that he had seen worse, where
or when he couldn't Just remember.
but he thought Ii was in the wilds
of New Mexico right after combined
cyclone and tornado had mussed UP
the landscape OF a couple OF coun-
ties.
But we got through. all right,
went on Mr.. Shuman, 1T WAS rather
heavy going in spots. but we are
here"
And the highway is going to be
built, mark my words" said President
Preston Belvin, of the Virginia State
Autom obila Association.
Easy to Build Road.
1T will be no great job to build
the road" added Mr.. Manyilie. In
Stafford county there Ia all the ma
terial needed right at hand. the peo-
pie have a broad right OF way. there
will be no need OF any grubbing-
that is widening Of the road-and
most of the road We came over Is on
crest. This aids drainage and will.
help to keep the thoroughfare In good
condition The only matter with
Stafford county roads In that they
were not constructed properly in the
first place and no attempt has beSn
made to keep them in repair
TT would be q comparatively easy
matter to construct the road" assert
Cd Captain St Julien Wilson.
This opinion was shared by Mr..
Westward. who said that there was a
conspicuous lack of intelligence dis
played In what little had been done
in Stafford county in road building.
Mr.. Airport and MIR. Haxelgrove
refused to be quoted. They were
chiefly concerned about their cars.
two magnificent Stevens Duryea ma
chimes which. although severely
strained. had come through their hard
ordeal in great shape. 100 = ; = '',t'"-
Party in Swamp.
Mr.. Airport swore by Stafford
county roads at the start" said Mr..
Hunter. Now he swears at them.
Also. you should have heard the
beautiful peroration OF Mr.. Kelvin
delivered at night In gloomy wood
surrounding swamp that was cali
ed road while one car pulled the
other out OF a slough OF despond.
1t was a truly great effort"
ut was q most eventful trip"
thoughtfuliy declared Mr.. Cogbill
I'VE slept in deserted farmhouse
just outside Nokesville. which is
somewhere near Bristow and Manas-
sas Saturday night. 1t was well We
did so, for In the morning we struck
a stretch in Prince william county
where we surely would have been
mired had We continued on that
night. 1t was a most eventful trip"
All of the party, In spite OF the
difficulties encountered. seemed great
" pleased with their trip. At Bowl
ing Green In Caroline county, they
were greeted by delegation Of citi-
Gems and Road Supervisor George
Lyon accompanied them in his auto
mobile to the border OF Spotsylvania
county.
Lunclscon by Motorists.
At Fredericksburg a small lunch
con had been prepared by the Fred