The Detroit times., 1911-08-31
IS R|NGING
WITH PLEAS FOR
GOOD ROADS
Practically Every County in State
Is Represented at Fourth Annual
Convention of Michigan High
way Association.
President Colgrove, in Stirring Ad
dress, Says Improved Roads Are
the Crying Need.

LANSING. Mich. Aug. s1.--when
President Philip T. Colgrove. OF the
Michigan Good Roads association,
sounded the gavel at the opening ses
sion Of the fourth annual convention
in representative chamber this morn
ing. he faced one of The largest gath
erings OF highway enthusiasts ever as.
sembled In this state. Practically
every county was represented. Many
OF the delegates came for the express
purpose OF listening to the address
which Gov. Osborn was expected to
deliver, but when the chief executive
was detained at meeting OF the par.
don board at Marquette, his private
secretary, Major De Hull Travis,
stepped in and the executive depart
ment of the state government was
ably represented by the governors
aide.
Aside from the address OF Presi'
dent Colgrove, who strongly urged the
adoption of the county system and
pleaded for heavy financial support
from the state. the principal address
was given by State Highway Commits.
sioner Ely, who gave an extensive re-
view of the highway commission and
| its work.
Former State Highway Commission
er Horatio 8. Earle, OF Detroit, ano
George G. Diehl, OF Buffalo, N. T.,
chairman of the good roads Doaro
of the American Automobile associa-
tion. were the principal speakers this
afternoon.
President Colgrove said. in part:
"The time has come when this as
sociation should maintain q central
once and give to the public at least
one of her most competent and cap
able members for the good roads
cause In Michigan.
"a strong central organization is
absolutely necessary In Michigan II
We are to keep pace with other states
about us in this movement. We must
have an organization around which
all others can rally with hope OF sue
cess. we care not who leadss II that
eadership IN safe and sane, and brings
thinrx IA pass, The Michigan Good
Roads association. like the Ohio fed.
Grafton, hopes to bring to us ano
work With us, every county, city and
village organization In the state. we
must help them and the thought OF
rivalry or leadership must never 90
considered. A strong central organ
ization is one OF the crying needs 10
be considered.
"The appropriations have Increased
from wear TO year as the people have
taken advantage Of state roads.
"Tha Townships are the fountain
heaas Of ALI roads Their boards must
make application for the award. 30
long as II costs the township from
$500 to $500 extra, aside from tne
state aid, Just so long must active
steps be taken to get Denino the
township boards and urge them on
by local subscriptions, AZ well as py
other assistance.
"This organization, and others
working with 1t. must be that force.
We could build nearly 400 miles every
wear In Michigan II the townships
would get busy and take advantage
Of the opportunity that is onered
them. The legislature will gladly In
crease the appropriations II the peo'
le will but take advantage OF what
they have.
am nv judgment there Is no sub.
iect of greater importance connected
with the good roads movement than
the county system. The township
unit Is not only too small but always
has been and always will be unsatis'
| factory.
"There is no reason, at least no
GOOD reason why every county In the
state should not adopt the county
svstem. The commissioners OF the
various counties acting together would
soon have the main, thFoughfares IN
ali directions connecting the principal
cities Of the state joined together WIFE
roads equal to those OF the New eng
land states. This association 10 in
duty bound to do its part In the eau,
cation of the people looking toward
the doing away Of the township sys'
tenn and adopting the larger unit.
"I believe II to be the duty OF every
member of this organization 10 use
hts influence with the congressman
representing him in the national reg
,sIsture. to see to Il that he gives nis
aid and assistance with the various
Hills now coming TO a vote. Twelve
biiis have been introduced looking 20
national aid In construction OF our
Sishways. Some one Of these viii De
written into a federal statute with
out fail"