The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-09
PATHF|NDERS OFF
FOR WASHINGTON
Party of Good Roads Men
Leave Richmond to Map
New Route
| SUPPLIES LINK IN
INTERNATIONAL ROAD
When Built VIII Form Part
of Highway from Qubec.
Canada, to Miami.
/ Florida.

A pathfinding party leaves fic"s
direct route, as far as possible pe
direct route, as far as possible oe-
tw.ar 9ieninond and washington.
This route will form the cohhectihS
link in the international Highway pc
tween Quebec, Canada. and MlaAa''
Fla. discussed at the national cohVeh-
ton of the American Association ior
Highway Improvement, helo In nicn-
mond the week of November ~
At the convention the quebec 70
Miami Highway Association was OF
ganlzed and through the eHorts y,
Preston Relvin. K, A. Airport, ). L.
Palmatofy, r. c Pelouze ana other
members Of the Richmond Automo-
bile Club, It was voted that the hlSn-
| way should pass through the capital
| city OF Virginia.
delegates from other States argued
| hat the highway should avoid Hlch-
mond and connect with the NalieS
| pike by way of Harper's Ferry. mere
was no direct road from washington
| to Richmond, these delegates averreo.
while the Valley pike was an almost
| ideal highway in spite OF the as
asters that overlook the Hidden
| Tourists.
4
/ that IL there was no direct route from
| Washington to Richmond road
would be built. Mr.. Airport said
that he could take party from Rich
nond to Washington by automobile
In nine hours, easy touring. and ma
roads almost equal to the valley
pike.
And at this season OF the year.
added Mr.. Airport, Il think that they
will be found to be better than some
portions of the Valley pike"
The Richmond delegates won their
point and the association went on
record that the international High.
way should be routed through Rich
mond from Washington, then South
through Petersburg and Emporia t.
the Carolina line, where 1t joins this
archaeological highway.
Good Roads Men Active.
Immediately after the convention
got together and took counsel abou,
constructing this link in the great
highway. Mr.. Airport offered the use
OF his car and his services as pilot t
take a surveying party over the mos
direct route bewteen Richmond anc
Washington. His offer was accepted
When President Preste- Belvin, Of
citation and Secretary H. Grim Peck
OF the Richmond Automobile Club
went to New York to attend the an
nual meeting Of the American Auto
mobile Association, they took the mat
, ter up with Chairman A. q. Batch
elder. of the Executive Committee.
, Mr.. Batchelder had attended tn
: convention in Richmond and was II
touch with the situation. He prom
ised his support and the Virginian
so impressed the other automobil
l men that they found themselves elect
ed members Of the A. A. A executtv
: committee.
This signal honor was unexpected
> Mr.. Belvin at first declined to serv
I but found himself obliged to serv
' nevertheless.
Virginia is the only State with tw
. Representatives on the A. A. A. execu
= tive committee, fact which lends EN-
= phasis to the important art the Ol
!. Dominion is occupying in the auto
: mobile world and in the Good Road
movement.
Meanwhile the A. A. A. Tourin
n Board had taken the matter UP wit
d Mr. Airport and November 81 Mar
e ager Robert Bruce wrote him:
e Il see In The Richmond Virginia
IS brief reference to some idea {
= yours on the pro per route from Ricf
mond to Washington. Wish that yo
q could give these to me in more defini1
n form. In order that may see thu
;. your preferred route Is shown entir'
;. ~ on the Virginia map
y TO this Mr.. Airport responded
l. Referring to your letter OF tf
& eth I beg to submit the followir
= route from Richmond to Washington
l. Road to Washington.
Leave Richmond by way