The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-01-07
ALL SECTIONS
PROBABLY Be
REPRESENTED
INTEREST IN THE APPROACHING
FEDERAL AID GOOD ROADS
CONVENTIONS IS INCREASING
AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
OF COUNTRY ARE RESPONDING.


Washington. Jan 6.-Interest in the
approaching Federal Aid Goods Roads
Convention to be held in Washington,
by the American Automobile Associa-
tion, has proven to be much more
widespread and enthusiastic than had
been anticipated. The indications now
are for an attendance that win repre-
sent every section, and nearly every
state, and include large delegations OF
farmers. business men, motorists, and
other classes to whom 1.-THE question OF
road Improvement is a vital one.
That many of the state governments
are ready for the consideration of
We Federal Aid plan is indicated by
the action Of a number Of governorss in
appointing delegations to represent
their states at the convention. Amo1g
those who have already named deleN
gates are Governors Sllafroth Of Col
orado, McGovern OF wisconsin. Mann
Of Virginia, Deneel1 of Illinois, Blease
of South Carolina, Allen of Montana,
and Gilchrist OF Florida. Others who
have promised. TO name delegates are
Governors Mills Of New Mexico, Os-
horn OF Michigan, and Harmon OF
Chic. Most of the ether Governors are
expected also to name delegates.
The response Of the business organ
izstions Of the country has also been
gratifying. Among the associations Of
this kind that have promised to send
deiezates are the Birmingham (Ala-)
Board Of Trade, the Greensboro IN.
CO Chamber Of Commerce, the Dan
vile (IiL) Industrial Club, the Nash
vile (Tenn.) Board of Trade. the To-
ledo (Ohio,) Commercial Club, and
other representative bodies Of mer-
chants and manufacturers.
A considerable percentage OF state
highway commissioners viii be in at
tendance, as well as representatives
Of several national and state organiza-
tons of farmers. An addition to the
list of speakers at the convention is
the Hon. NJ. z. Springer Of Oklahoma
CITY. Mr.. Springer win attend as del
kgate from the state of Oklahoma and
Mas prepared paper on methods OF
financing road building which contains
some interesting new suggestions for
combined Federal, State. and county
aid.
AS illustrating the interest felt in
Congress on the subject of Federal
Aid. and the extent to which members
are favorable to the general idea,
poil was recently taken of the Ohio
tielegation consisting of two senators
and twenty-one representatives. Fifty
per cent OF the senators were In favor
of Federal Aid, Senator Pomerene de-
ciarfnE unqualihedly for such appro-
prlations In preference to spending
money for battleships. while Senator
Burton was emphatically opposed to
any suggestion Of Federal Aid. OF the
2f representatives. II per cent declined
10 state their position, and another Il
per cent. which approving the general
proportion. added conditions to then
authorization. The remaining az pei
cent. or 10 out of the total of q con-
xressmen. declared unqualifledly fol
Federal cooperation with the states
In highway Improvement. This poll i
especialiy significant because Ohio II
not only centrally located between the
,east and west, 50 that its sentiment
may be considered fairly typical o
that of the whole country, but its pop.
,flation is almost equally divided be.
tween city and country, while tn
balance between the two great politi
cal parties in the state, and in II
congressional delegation, is almos
equal. While il is possible that amcnl
the entire membership Of the Fedora
Congress the majority in favor o
Federal Aid would not be found to b
so overwhelmingly large, yet letter
received at A. A. A national head
quarters show that considerably NOR
than half of those heard from ar
favorable.
The first session of the convention
VIII be held IN the hotel Raleigh
washington. on the morning of Tues
day. January Is, with afternoon an
evening sessions on the same day, an
morning and afternoon sessions O
the following day.