Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-17
Highway improvement.

| uuQTeH III all the SCHOOLS OF Virginia
and West Virginia will celebrate
"Good Roads Week." which has been
designated in procIamations issued by
the Governors of these states and
which will begin November ID, by en-
gaging in a! general competition to
write the best essay on the subject of
lettering the condition of public high
ways and the effect of such improve
ment on the happiness and prosperity
OF community.
Probably no such novel idea for ac-
centuating the benefits of improved
public highways was ever fostered in
the United States "Good Roads
Week. has been set aside by the gov
ernors of Virginia and West Virginia
in order to draw attention to the great
benefits of road in. provement immedi.
ately prior to the great road congress of
the American Association for Highway
improvement and its allied organi-
cations IN Richmond, Va, Nov 20 to
70 Farmers in the two states will give
their services to he improvement of
nearby roads and will! have "spltlog
drags" working from the beginning
until the end Of the week in order to
show just how much work can be done
towards putting all roads in good con-
dition in the short space of six days.
cd,
children in the public schools, h swever
VIII be one of the most Interesting
feature of the week. In accordance
with Governor Glasscock's proclama-
ton, all the uperintendents and prin-
cipals OF the pubic schools have been
asked to take up with The teachers the
SUBJECT of essays to be written by the
children, the best o. the number to be
Published in the newspapers on the
Sunday prior to the opening of the big
rad congress at Richmond, where
President Taft will be the chief spea ker.
1t is probable that some of the child
rem will be asked to tell of the effects
OF good roads on education, how coun-
try children are kept from school by
reason of muddy roads, how the public
health is affected by poo drainage of
+ ads, and how improved highways
make for increased commerce, greater
social intercourse in the country, and
increased wealth and happiness every
where.
Hundreds of reservations have been
made at the Richmond hotels for the
days on which the congress is to be
held. The congress is being held for
educational purposes and will be open
TO The public, admission to all the
exercises, addresses and exhibits being
free of charge.
Secretary Wilson, of the Department
OF Agriculture, has accepted an invita-
ton to address the big Congress of the
American Association for Highway
Improvement and Its allied organiza-
tions which is to be held at Richmond,
Nov. 20 to %. Ii is announced that
Secretary Wilson will discuss the re-
lation Of improved roads to the trans
portation of crops, the DEVELOPMENT OF
farm lands and the increased produc-
tion of the wealth that is in the land
Much interesting information is eX-
pected from Secretary Wilson on the
increase i'll land values, due TO the
building of new roads, or the improve
ment of old ones
With President Taft and Secretary
Wilson among the speakers, the ex-
ecutlVe branch of the government will
b. well represented. Many of the most
distinguished mem bers of Congress
likewise Will be present. Oscar w.
Underwood, majority leader in the
House of Representatives and a pos
sble candidate for the Democratic
nomination for President, " II sc
nong the number. Governor, and
road officials from the various states
VIII be present and it is expected that
the auto mobile tour that has been al
ranged will bring automobllists from
all parts of the country. The public il
in vited, admission to all the exhibits
aud lectures and other features being
free.
Nearly every city in the United
states Will be represented and it is ex.
, pected that the congress VIII be the
largest and most remarkable ever held
IN America. The gathering of public
men viii be the most distinguished
ever welcomed by any city in the
country.