The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-05

NEW YORK, June 5.--A national
convention In aid OF improved high
| ways will be held at Richmond. Va,
beginning on September IL. 1t will be
the first annual congress under the
| auspices Of the American Associa-
ton for Highway Improvement. which
was organized In Warrington In No
vember. 1910. to stimulate public in
terest in the good roads movement
along practical lines.
The organization OF this National
Highway Association was primarily
due to the informal meeting of high
way commissioners and automobile
officials held by the Touring Club OF
America soon after the International
Good Roads Congress in Brussels. The
Touring Club thought that the time
was ripe to form q national associa-
ton In America which would do for
the roads OF this country what the
International Road Congress 10 able
to accomplish abroad, and the sue
cess of the American Association for
Highway improvement has Justified
the wisdom Of the movement.
President Taft has been invited to
attend the coming conference. and his
deep interest in the aims Of the asso-
citation may be seen from the follow
Ing letter recently sent by him to Lo-
gan Waller Page, director Of the Unit
cd StAte8 office Of public roads and
president OF the American Associa-
ton for Highway Improvement:
Il am much interested In the work
OF the American Association for High
way Improvement. and l am In full
accord with its aims and purposes.
consider the lines on which the ALSO
citation IL working to be thorough
sound. and with such men as you have
associated with you much should be
done to better the condition of public
roads"
This coming convention will mark
the greatest aasemblage In the, in
terest OF road Improvement ever held
In the United States. Farmers. bust
ness men, highway officials. railroad
men. engineers. automobile users.
of road machinery and
have signified their inten-
ton to take part In the congress. A
nnmhaF sak automobile tours ara he
lnx arranged. with Richmond as the
objective point. during the week OF
the convention, and trips will be made
70 the Virginia capital from New
I ork, Boston. Chicago, Atlanta, New
49, oAA1 anu many cNnef
places.
One important feature of the con-
fention Will be that II will mark what
g. regarded a. the eliminating effort
IN the part OF farmers, railroad men
md motorists working in harmony
With the United States government |
o give this country an adequate sys-
esn Of improved highways. Tha in~
luence OF the association has already /
oeen felt in this respect through its |
initiated Organizations. which include:
me Ohio Good Roads Federation, the |
sapital Highway Association. embrac- |
ng the Atlantic seaboard: the Inter |
rational League for Highway I'm
'rovement. the Arkansas Good Roads |
md Drainage Association, the New /
Ianta Fe Trail Association. Quiz |
soast Good Roads Association. Good |
loads Club Of Georgia. Montana So |
Lefty OF Engfneers the Southern An
laiachiAn Good Roads Associa ton |
ne south Carolina Good Roads A.
ociation. the Oregon Association for
highway Improvement. Indiana Good
toads Association and the Aroostook
'ounty Good Roads Association OF
iaine. The American Association for
Highway Improvement was formed to
ct a. clearing house for ali exist
~ Organizations working 70 road i'm
rovement and maintenance.
Among the organixers and those