The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-23

ssgood roads everywhere In what
tie automobiles are striving for and
their organized efforts encompass the
improvement Of the county and town
ship roads as well an the more travel
ed highways" states Laurens Enos
president of the American Automobile
Z association, which nationwide body OF
road-users is accelerating the move
4 raens most substantially through It's
I'VE hundred clubs scattered all over
the country.
"a motor-driver vehicle nowadays
j, can challenge roads not deserving OF
the name" comments Mr. Enosr AND
ID 30 IL liz that the development OF coun-
try life the autoist requires much TO
DISCOURAGE him In his goings into the
sa4s hy@ ways, which like the other avenues
OF Communication demand conEidera-
ton in proportion TO their growing
"A use. II La our belief that the better
ment of these roads properly devoives
upon the township, with well defined
y cooperation from the State through a
highways department which also has
to do with the county roads, In con-
Junction with the county authorities.
~But in seeking the participation OF
the federal government In roads pro-
i gress we cannot bring ourselves to be-
iieve that national aid means doua-
ton OF national funds for local pur-
poses
ITO ask the national government TO
do that which properly devolves upon
4s the local community Is paEically wrong
a and untenabie. Our government is
composed of State units. the source to
which the community should appeal
4 - IT. the State. which in turn should go
TO the federal fountain head for CO.
operation along lines which are inter-
estate and otherwise sufficiently general
10 Justify the employment Of national
funds But to cail upon the national
~ government to deal with local units
direct. and ignoring the State gov"rn-
i xment lie procedure contrary to consti-
tutional rights and common sense"
In his address at the American road
n congress at Atlantic City. ~, p Hull,
the lecturer of the National Grange. In
closing gave utterance to this senti-
ment: II call upon the American Au-
tomobile association, with the men
i who are striving. AS many of you are
& striving. and legitimately and fairly
striving. TO build transcontinental
s-a highways. improved highways II you
please. to keep In mind while you are
studying this question and using your
efforts TO build those great highways
connecting the cities OF the country,
IS that you will not forget the necessity
sH TO you and to me, the necessity to this
great nation of ours. the great econo-
mic need of improving the common
y country highways, from the home OF
\, the man at the other end of the bad
il road TO the city, that you may be bet
ND the United States may be better off,
Commenting upon Mr.. Hull's peril
nent summation of the roads problem,
Chairman George C, Dehi, of the ma
.a tonai good roads hoard, has this opin-
ION to express. III the nation helps
the State along proper lines. then the
State In turn can help the counties 9nd
" Townships. To bring about the adop-
ton OF an equitable plan which shall
commend itself is the sole motive
which has actuated the A. A. A. In
calling the series of Federal Aid Con
ventsons in Washington, d. c.. the sec
ond of which will take place at The
Raleigh. March 9Th and 9TH, with q
very representative attendance as
sured"
4.s Indicating clearly the progressive
thought which the National Grange
officers are giving to the question OF
4 highways is the following from the
IN annual report of State Grange master
r. Arthur Sherwood of Connecticut
The Grange ID. and should be. the