The state herald., 1914-02-27
NOTABLE SPEECH DELIVERED IN
HOUSE BY CONGRESSMAN
SELDoMRIDGE.
"SEE AMERICA FIRST
COLORADO HIGHWAY coMMiS.
SION REPORT PUBLISHED
IN RECORD.
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.

western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington.-A notable speech on
the growing policy OF the government
towards the building and improvement
of roads was delivered in the House by
Representative Harry II. Seldomridge
of Colorado in support of the measure
which the House passed, appropriating
s25,OO0,00O for that purpose. Mr..
Seldomridge advanced many new
ideas in relation to the good roads
movement which is sweeping the coun-
try and gave to his colleagues veri-
table compendium Of information
based upon what Colorado has ac-
complished in highway improvement.
incidentally. in his adress, Representa-
tive Seldomridge sounded the slogan
for turning back OF European travel,
commencing Secretary Lanes idea of
advertising the attractions of Ameri-
can scenery to European tourists.
1--WE freely criticise the thousands OF
Americans, who annually cross the
Atlantic in order to enjoy the scenery
of Europe" said the congressman.
''Is 1t not time that we should en-
deavor to secure for ourselves a re-
turn Of European capital in the way OF
tourist travel TO our shores.
"My own state of Colorado has
been one of the first to realize the
benefits that follow the construction
of good roads. We have SO much to
give to tourist in the way OF scenery
OF mountain. valley. and plain that We
are beginning to appreciate the great
asset which this scenery is to us. Our
state highway commission is engaged
in the development of comprehen-
sive scheme of road extension and
construction. We offer to the tourist
the most attractive and seductive jour
neys over our snow-clad submits and
through our deep winding valleys and
tortuous cahons. I.covet for the mem
bership OF this body no greater pleas
ure than to offord them a journey over
the plains and mountain roads OF our
commonwealth"
Mr.. Seldomridge. for the informa-
tion of the House, added TO his speech
the report made recently by the Colo
rado highways commission and had II
published In full In the record He
also gave an interesting account OF
the states experiment with convict la
Dor in road building and demonstrated
Its effectiveness. appending to his
speech the recent report OF Warden
lyman.
Il confidently believe that no ex-
penditure OF money will yield so large
a return TO the nation In practical
benefit 'as the money which is APP
propriated In this bill for good roads.
said the congressman. THE farmers
OF the nation have been taxed for
many years 10 deepen the harbors. to
widen the channels. to construct forti-
ficatlons. to build lighthouses. and to
provide In many ways for the develop
ment and enlargement OF the trade OF
our great manufacturing centers mud
our seaport cities. Is II not. there
fore. necessary and timely that the
nation should now devote n portion OF
her great revenue TO the building up
OF our internal highways, stimulating
the productivity Of the land. and bring
ing to our vacant farms and unsettled
areas q population that will be perma.
nont and contented? The life OF the
farmer II n strenuous one at best His
income is affected by causes largely
beyond his control. Drought. hail. and
flood may visit him and wipe out the
fruit OF the toll OF many months. lie
may see his market congcstcd and
the price OF his product forced below
its natural level through manipulation
OF spectators and gamblers, should
not more thought and attention be
given TO his material needs, and
should we not seek In every way to
protect and foster his lntercsts7"