The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

the different cities of the United States,
that they may see for themselves how
good roads can be built. as we'll as the
wear and tear on them by the use of
different kinds Of vehicles.
One Of the most prominent AUTOMOBILE
n InufactUrers in the United States re-
Gently made the statement that he would
lend any aid possible in his power to
the boosting of the good roads movement,
in which he has long been interested.
He has realized, like many others, that
the American mOtOrist is good spender,
and much # the money that would
otherwise go to fIl the Golfers of Ameri-
can shopkeC pers has been spent abroad,
owing to the fact that in this country
there were but few highways suitable
for motoring and those of but short
length.
Decide Trunk Roads.
Recently the State highway commits
sioners of New York, Connecticut, and
Massachusetts met and motored together
over the principal highways of these
three States that they might settle on
certain highways connecting the different
States, to ne known as trunk roads, and
the greater portion of the State appro-
PratiOn spent in their building and up
keep This was done with the main idea
OF keeping the American automobile
owner at home during his summer vaca-
ton
New England has led the country in
the matter of road building. and the mt
jOrity of people who tour during the
summer months in their own country
select tnis portion of the United States,
not only on account of the beautiful
scenery to be found there, but more es-
peciauy owing to tho fine highways 10
be found.
Recently the South has taken up the
good roads movement with a Zest. AL
ready Georgia and North Carolina. which
We're conceded to have some of the worst
highways in the United States. have
many miles of fine macadam road and
are still building them. Convict labor is
to great extent used in this work. The
results obtained can ne best judged by
the number of Northern people who mo-
tOred South last winter and the vanguard
that has akeady started South for the
coming winter.
Nearly all of this class are people OF
means, who have ample funds to spend
on their outing and are willing to part
with them providing they are afforded
some pleasure in so doing. This years
Glidden tour, to be held next month, and
which is to run from New York to7.Eeck-
sonville, Fla, is nothing more or less
than a gOOd-rOadS boom. The rules of
the contest have been made so that the
majority of participants, who will be
private owners, can make the journey
without the least hardship. The route
for the greater portion of the way leads
over what is known as the national high
way, and for the most part II is good
roads.
Meeting in November.
In November a good roads congress is
to be held in Richmond, Va, and plans
have already been formulated for bring
ing motorists from all over the country
to it. The office of public roads will have
on exhibition samples of highways built
to meet different conditions in different
sections of the country. In addition to
these it is more than likely that the,
moving pictures now being taken of the
highways of the United States will also
be shown
President Taft, himself an ardent mo-
torist and naturally good-roads advo-
cate, has promised TO be On hand to de-
liver an address. Highway engineers
from all over the world will likewise be
present to lend their aid in the good
roads movement.
in any manner aid the good-roads move
ment the office of public roads has al
ways stood ready to lend any assistance
1t might. and in many of the undertake
ings now 1n foot. though the work Is
ostensibly being done by the State or
country, it Is really under the guidance of
experts from the government.
II the bill introduced at the last session
of Congress for the construction of five
nationsl highways leading out of Wash
ington to different points of this country
passes, II viii prove one of the greatest
aids to the development of the resources
of America that has ever been fostered
by any Covepnnaent Waterways have
been financed Congress. and while in
their way they are a benefit TO certain
portions OF the community. they are not
half so valuable an acquisition as
system Of highways. Waterways can tap
but certain districts, and unless there
be good roads to enable the man to bring
his produce TO the water. there to trans
port II 10 his nearest market at the least
cost. toc money spent III their construc-
tion win be thrown, awa9.