The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-11-02
RESENT THRUST
At VA. HIGHWAYS
Takes Exception to Criticism of
Virginia Roads by Ghdden
Tourists

r G IL NJ o n ID. VA-Special.-
preston BeNin, president OF the
Virginia State Automobile -Associa-
ton. has written an open letter to the
editor of the New York Times. eN-
pressing his indignation at the criti-
ciSm of Virginia roads 10y correspond
ents with the Glidden tour. 0'he Times
commented editorially on the mater
sent IN by its representative with the
tour. The Letter follows:
Richmond, Va, October "a. 1911.
Editor New York Times. New York.
n. Y:
Dear Sir,-I have noted an article
IN your paper of Thursday. October
18th, written by your special CORE
SpOndent from WinStOn-Sa N C
under date of October 18th. also your
editorial commenting on the roads in
Virginia, south of Roanoke
HAD Mr.. Gldden, or the managers
OF the Glidden tour, consulted with
the Virginia State Automobile Asso-
ciauon, they would never have had
the bad road troubles on their tour
from New York to Jacksonville. Fla
In the August number of the Motor
Mr.. otis Alfriend. secretary of the
Virginia State Automobile Association.
suggested the best route for the Gid
den tour through Virginia, which was
about as follows:
Entering Virginia at her most north
ern point at the head of the Valley
Pike, which is one Of the very best
macadamized roads in America. run
ming a distance of over 100 miles to
the city of Staunton; from Staunton To
WaYneSborO; from Waynesboro over
the Blue Ridge Mountain. with a mac
adamized road nearly all the way to
Charlottesville; from Charlottesville
to KeSwick; Keswick 10 Louisa Court
house; Louisa Courthouse to Rich
mond; Richmond to Petersburg; Pc
tersburg to Emporia; Emporia. Va.
to Henderson, y. c.; then on over the
roads of North Carolina. South Caro-
lima and Georgia TO Jacksonville.
If this route had been adopted the
participants in the Glidden tour would
have had magnificent roads, and the
grandest and most enjoyable scenic
route in the United States.
The route as suggested above is the
logical route in Virginia between the
North and South. Automobile owners
use this route every day. The roads
are all safe. and all streams bridged.
In Virginia, like New York and other
| states, We have some bad roads. 1 en-
have ever ridden over in New York
| state. In Virginia we have good
trunk lines running north. south. east
| and west, and If the interested people
| who. are acquainted with the EooC
| roads OF Virginia. had been consulted
the Gliddenites would have had M
The State of Virginia. the counties
| cities and private subscribers to gooc
lIoauS, are spending over five million
dollars at the present time in improv-
ing and building good roads in this
| State, and the movements for the bet
terment Of roads in Virginia is yet In
its infancy.
The reason for writing this letter Is
that there will be the annual meeting
| OF the National Good Roads Congress
and also the first meeting of the Ameri.
| can Association for Highway Improve
\ ment held in Richmond the week OF
November goth, and we desire the
owners of automobiles TO know that
| there is a good route from the East
] North and West into Richmond, Va
and when the come they are going 20
| find an old Virginia hospitable well
| come, and we also invite you TO send
one of your special correspondents over
| this route.
| Yours very truly,
PRESTON BELVIN
President