The Washington herald., 1911-07-23

Early Tomorrow morning wha
is probably the greatest gathering
of good roads experts ever assem-
bled for the purpose of an inspec
ton trip will start by automobil,
from this city for Richmond, Va.
going by what is known as tn.
middle route. In the party will b.
Paul Sargent, assistant director Of
the Bureau of Good Roads of the
Department of Agriculture; High.
way Commissioner Wilson, of Vir.
2inia; J. A. Pennybacker, secre,
try of the National Highway AS
sociation, and F. K, Elliott, secre,
tary of the Touring Club of Amer
ica.
TWO DAYS OF INSPECTION.
1t is expected that two days will be
spent in covering the 1ss miles Of the
trip. Stops will be made en- route to
inspect the road. and at the different
towns conferences will be held with the
local road supervisors as to the best as
we'll as the most inexpensive method of
putting their roads in shape. Among the
towns scheduled for steps are Fairfax,
Middleburg, Warrenton. Culpeper. which
will more than likely be the night stop;
Orange, Gordonsville. and Louisa
1t Is hoped to have the highway in
first-class shape by the last of October,
when a two days good roads congress
is to be held in Richmond. For the
gathering a large number Of Northern
motorists are already planning to tour
South.
The original plan called for a route
via the old Telegraph road. but this
idea was abandoned owing to the fact
that at best the road is well-night i'm
bassable. and there is but little in the
way of scenery en- route.
At Work on the Pike.
The new route for the greater portion
of the way is good pike. and much work
is being done on 1t. Fauquier County
has built many miles of good road, and
next month its citizens will vote on a
bond issue to raise $4,000 to build thirty
more miles. From Washington to Fair
fax the road is good country highway
At Annandale, the Little River turnpike
which before the advent Of the railroad
was the main artery of travel from
Alexandria UP into Virginia, is picked
up and followed into Middleburg. This
road is high and dry at all seasons,
minder of the days Of travel by oxen.
A turn to the left at Middleburg leads
into nine miles Of the finest pike to be
found anywhere. This road ends at
The Plains, where the late E II. Har-
riman had a beautiful home, which is
now occupied much of the year by his
family.
Seven miles of dirt road. good in spots
and only fair in others, leads into a new
road just built by convict labor, which
terminates at Warrenton, the heart of
the horse country. This little Virginia
town nestled at the foot Of the Blue
Ridge probably has more pedigreed horses
and blue ribbon winners, in addition to
some Of the finest kennels IN the world,
than any other city in the United States.
Through Culpeper County.
It Is famous for its horse shows, held
every fall. From warrenton to White
Sulphur Springs. the route is over an
old pike which Is in good condition. Cross
ing the Rappahannock here. Culpeper
County. which is said to have been Lord
Fairfax's favorite spot. is entered. There
is a noticeable difference in the condition
of the roads. There are seven hills in a
row which are short and nasty climbs
At places the going Is rough and fords
are numerous. one in particular. Big In
dian. being almost impossible in wet
weather for an automobile.
Leaving Culpepef behind, Orange will
be the next stopping place. and from here
to Gordonsville the road with the ex-
cetion Of about two miles is a fine mac
adam pike. From Gordonsville to Louisa
the road. though a dirt one, is, as rule
In good shape. From Louisa into Rich
mond perhaps the greatest Improvement
has been made. Much OF this road. which
3 year ago was corduroy, has been i'm
proved. The only place where the road
Is at all heavy is In the neighborhood Of
the Chickahominy River. where for
couple Of miles the route leads through
swamp.
Pilot for the Party.
Charles Miller. Of Miller Bros. and his
veiie will pilot the party, carrying as
passengers representatives of the local
Mr.. Miller Is known as one
Of the best drivers IN the city. and has
had much experience in road work. hav-
ms participated In every endurance run
that started or finished here, carrying
oR honors IN the majority of them. It
viii be his duty to keep well in ad-
vance Of the officials. who win be taken !
,are Of by Lee Folger. Of Richmond.
who came over the road yesterday from
he Virginia city in his seven-passenger |
Packard Walter Brady, Of the e. M. r, |
factory. ana q Flanders 20 win also |
Y In the party. uickinE up . road super
'fsor here and there and carrying him
,vs7 the road through his district