The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-06-20
TRAIN HERE
ONITSSOOO
MILF, TRIP
Exhibits and Lectures Give
Impetus to Better
Highways

When the Frisco Good Roads special
train, which was here this morning.
has completed its trip. 1t viii have
trayersed 5000 miles Of the companys
lines in eleven states, spreading the
gospel Of better highways every.
where. at an expense to the company
Of over $4,000.
The train started at townsville.
Tex, three months ago and has all
ready covered the greater part Of the
lines In the southern states. II
arrived here last night and at Q 9o',lOck
this morning was thrown open to the
public for inspection AT Ii;sO it left
for Lawton and will continue to
Quanah, and then back over western
Oklahoma lines.
S. A. Hughes, general emigration
agent Of the Frisco lines, is the chief
in charges Of the train and he is ac.
companied on the Oklahoma division
by w N. Combs, assistant superin-
tendent The office Of public roads OF
the United States department of agri.
culture is represented by H. G Wells.
who gives the lectures, and his assist
ant. H. X Craig, the train being oper.
ated by the Frisco in conjunction with
the government
The train consists Of four cars, two
Of which are especially equipped for
the purpose. One is a lecture car. SO
arranged that it is darkened and stere-
opticon views thrown on a canvas in
the center. while in the other one pic.
lures and models showing all forms Of
road construction, bridges and cul-
verts.
During the lecture here this morn
ing the car was crowded to capacity
and Mr.. Wells talking rapidly as the
pictures were shown. gave out vast
amount Of practical information on the
construction and maintenance Of roads
and bridges. dealing ont facts In such
way as to leave lasting Impressions
on the minds Of his hearers. After the
session in his car was concluded the
visitors were shown through the ex.
hibit car, where the miniature road
machines were put in motion and the
models were explained to them. Every
kind Of roadway was shown, including
macadam, sand clay. earth, etc. and
among the machine models shown
were the split-log drag, roller and q
rock crusher.
Among those who visited the train
we're the county commissioners, Ed
Johns, John Penn and Sell Pursley
Mayor Burton and other city and
county officials, together with over a
hundred representative bankers and
business men. with a small sprinkIlne
of farmers.
Speaking OF the tour Of the special
train and its mission. Mr.. Hughes
j said. I'VE have had good crowds all
along the line and everywhere Va
find people awakening to the import
anee Of better highways. We are en-
deayoring to stimulate this movement
/ and the interest that is manifested L
very encouraging. IN many oommunl
ties the people are voting bonds ans
are engaged in road building. The!
J find that the expense per capita Is no
. heavy, being nominal compared viii
the tremendous benefits, and the en-
( haneement In value Of land.
Good roads mean closer relation
5 between the town and the farmer. bel
ter churches and schools, country i
+ baries. rural mail delivery and tels
; phones and more general happInes
/. and prosperity for all the people.
Zone thing we are aiming to impress
is the necessity for expert supervlsio
III building roads. No large andertaE
ing should be started without seeafin
the services Of a competent engineer.
~------ss-----