The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-20
AMERICA WILL OUTSTRIP
EUROPE THROUGH AUTOS
COFFIN.
Hudson Co. Authority Says Our
Thoroughfares Will Be Bet
ter Than Europe's
BY HOWARD E. COFFIN.


Vice-President Hudson Motor Car CO.,
and holder Of many other Offices of
Authority in motordom.
Remembering the marvellous roads
OF Europe, this thought, in connection
with the Detroit auto show, is impress
sing
That in centuries less time than it
took Europe TO acquire it's amazing
boufevard-like roads, the political In
luence of his majesty-the American
citizen who owns a motor car-wlll
bring about equally fine thoroughfares
in this country.
The automobile is the greatest inn
petus for good roads that this country
has ever known. The man who looks
deep into the good roads proposition
knows that II means increased pros
perity, for good roads make long dis
tances easier of passage, promote COM
merce and hence the prosperitf of the
nation. And good roads make the
motor car an absolute necessity.
Despite the fact that in every com
munity there are organizations of peo-
pie who are joining hands in the fight
for good roads legislation, there has
been no really potent infiuence-no di-
rect influence.
In this country there are hundreds
of thousands of automobiles in daily
operation. Consider that each family
owning an automobile has at least
two male citizens in it-then add to
that, those citizens interested in auto
mobiles, but who do not yet own one.
Add to that 100000 farmers who
do not own automobiles. but who are
vitality interested in good roads be-
cause of well-kept thoroughfares-
their only avenues TO their towns
mean money TO them. Add TO that
other voters in farmers families.
There is a voting strength OF not less
than 100000.
! And this without paying any atten-
ton to the myriads of small town
merchants who are dependent upon
good roads for the farmers coming to
town 10 buy-and without paying any
attention to the struggling votes Of
men not classified in the above.
Ten millions of ballots could swing
any political movement ever launched
ten millions of votes could elect a
president in a walk. They could move
the destinies of this country in any
direction they chose.
Consider then, that 100000 citi-
zens Lave a bona-fide, direct interest
| in good roadside most powerful
political influence this country has
ever known. But they cannot work
as unit-for road improvement is a
countrywide proposition in It's last
analysis. But working as a series OF
units these counties each have vast
power.
Now then, with those strong facts
backed by the automobiles new era
of transportation-is 1t any wonder
that America will outstrip the famous
European roads in centuries less time
than II took the old world to acquire
'thoroughfares that today are match
less?
The roads OF New England already
approximate those of Europe and
there are many other localities in the
United States wherein the roads are
equally good. II present signs Of the
times may be taken to mean anything
a very few more years OF missionary
work on the part of the automobile
coupled with other powerful influences
for national progress will see this
country bound together by a network
OF roads, east, west, north and south,
which will be at least the equal of
anything TO be found in Europe.
Each successive trip to England and
the continent impresses the visitor
with the fact that this country is max
ing great progress and is greater
country--for touring-with every year
that is added to the age OF the auto
mobile industry.