The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-02-25
The AUTOMOBILE ROAD
The Subject Discussed By Mr..
David !. Jaynes.
GREAT IMPORTANCE 70 THIS CITY


OF late We have heard very little
concerning tho proposed automobile
rohd from Washington to Rich
mond.
The projectors Of this enterprise
have apparently forgotten the very
existence of fredericksburg and
viii In All probability choose tile
route through the Valley, which
will go 10 Atlanta, making a wide
detour IN order to reach Richmond.
Such decision on their part
would shut out Fredericksburg. and
the country adjacent, from the
benefits to be diriyed from such a
highway No question is ever en-
tirely settled until, it Is settled
right. and this question OF a motor
road from Washington to Richmond
cannot be settled right unless the
said road passes through this city
The old historic road from Wash
ington 70 Richmond. passing
through Fredericksburg, is the on
IS logical route between these two
cities. It is by far the shortest
way: it does not penetrate the
mountainous section of the state;
II does not climb to the altitude Of
thousands OF feet above sea Level
as does the Valley or Piedmont
route. which would be a great strain
on any automobile, even though the
grade were ever so gentle And
last. but not least, in interest to
the people OF fredericksburg Is the
fact that this old road goes direct
~ through our city.
II this direct route from Washing
ton TO Richmond should be chosen
for an automobile road the dement's
to Fredericksburg. in a business
way. would be incalculable.a and 1t Is
for the purpose Of enumeratlng on
ly a few of the commercial adyan-
tages which Fredericksburg may
reasonably expect to derive from
such a highway that this article
has heen written.
motor road through this sec
ton would bring thousands OF tour
lists TO Fredericksburg every year
These people would undoubtedly
spend much time and money In see
ing the sights OF our city ana IN
visiting the adjacent battleilelds
These tourists would require hoiel
accommodations. which would insure
the success Of the new hotel project
as well as providing Hotel Fred
erick with much additional patron
age
The people which this road would
bring TO Fredericksburg would be-
long. for the most part. to the
wealthiest class of society. Dusi-
ness men. capitalists and captains OF
industry would throng our streets
and nublic resorts Many of the
financiers. being impressed with
the commercial and industrial pos
sibilities Of this city, would TO-
cate among us and erect numerous
manufactures and establish many
other enterprises, all of which
would be Of great benefit to Fred
ericksburg.
If the people Of Fredericksburg
conld secure the auto road for TINS
city il would be the beginning Oh
such an era OF progress that an
Virginia would be amazed by the
wonderful and progressive spirit
little old dead FREEZER
icksburg." AS ii mas oi'e" ~
called ood
thing. in fact. the best thihg llal
ever came down the pike. or rather
tho hest thing in the shape Oh
niko that ever approached Freder-
icksburg. Let US not permit TINS
GOOD thing to get by us, as we
nave done so many other oPPo'
tunities oos,
LET ms have this road at any cost
because IL would be to FredericKs-
bvro What the first steel mill was
IN birmingham. the beginning Oh
greatness NTH
If is said that Warrenton, WIN
loss than one-third the population
~ fredericksburg. has offered sou
400 70 secure this road. II TINS
10 an and Warrenton gets the road
tho neople of Warrenton Will naNe
made the wisest investment OF 'hei'
lives. . On
Now If this auto road means 81
much IN Warrenton, what would II
no worth to Fredericksburg? 1t
would he worth hundreds OF thous,
ands Of dollars to us, because VI
the enhancement Of property Vaiues
snre to follow, and it would DC
worth hundreds of thousands hiort
to the people Of the surrouhu UNI,
oornties which would also beneil'
fredericksburg. Then, too, our pop
niatiop would be increased by the
Thousands OF laborers and lheil
families brought hither TO OPERA,
the now manufacturing plants Al,
the vacant spaces in the city "oulu
49, hrilt mn in order to pro,
vide homes for these people anu
every business house in Freuel ."nod
brrc would benefit by increase
soles of goods resultant from t"'
Great increase in population.
We all want to see our little city
nrosner and grow, but we must re-
member that in order for a CITY to
prosper it's people must do Things
for the city that does nothing pu'
conservatively hold on to what II
has is in the same position as the
man in the Bible who wrapped ul
his one talent in a napkin instead o.
putting It out at interest. Such
city will inevitably stagnate anu
die commercially
There is a saying among travellers
that they can tell a good business
town from a poor one by counting
the factory whistles to be hearo
there. This being so we all nope
TO see the day when scores OF rae
tory whistles will proclaim to the
world the material greatness o
Fredericksburg, when other scores
nav hundreds of manufactures util
ising the vast electrical power gen
Grated and made possible by tn'
mighty falls OF the RappahannocK
will likewise attest the prosperlt!
of our city. In order to make tni
hone a reality we must grasp ever!
opportunity that comes our way, g
after every opportunity that doe
not come our way and create new
opportunities for ourselves.
One of the most important op
portunities ever presented to an
community is now just within GU
grasp. II we would only go AFTER II
namely, the automobile road an
II Is the duty of every loyal Freu