Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-04
CROPS ROT IN FIELDS
. FOR WANT OF HIGHWAYS
Frank Terrace Says Real Advancement
Only Follows Good
Roads.
COMPARES OREGON LANES
WITH THOSE IN EUROPE
Sam Hill Says That Money Properly
Spent on Good Roads Returns
500 Per Cent.

That crops have rotted in the fields
for want of good roads by which to
transport them to markets where good
prices awaited, was one of the pointed
and significant statements of Frank
Terrace, good roads booster of King
county, Wash, who made the principal
address at the good roads meeting,
held at the Grand opera house Satur-
day afternoon and evening. Mr.. Ter
race showed that the good roads ques-
tion was an eminently practical one
for the farmer, wno is required to haul
his produce to markets or to points
whore transportation facilities are to
be had. Real advancement, in his
opinion, followed in the wake of the
construction of-good roads, while pros
perity was more dependent upon them
than tho farmer people were really
aware of.
1t was when Mr.. Terrace took trip
TO Europe and saw the broad smooth
highways that led through the country
districts that he bacame staunch sup
porter of good roads, and determined
to do all he could to build highways in
his own country. He said he bowed his
head in shame when he thought of the
roads in America IN comparison with
those of Europe.
Governor West, who is a member of
the Oregon state highway commission,
presided at the meetings. Otnor speak
ers besides Mr.. Terrace were Sam Hill,
of Maryhill, Washington, and Samuel
Lancaster. of Portland, who has charge
of the Multnomah county road work.
Mr.. Lancaster talk dealt with his
personal experience in building good
roads in county in Tennessee and the
effect it had on the prosperity of that
part of the country. lie showed how
from ono of tho poorest this county be.
came one of tne wealthiest.
Sam Hill declared that the eonstruc
tion of good roads was synonymous
with service to one S country and state
''You have men here," he added
"who will turn your mud holes into
good highways if you back them NJ
and give them the opportunity. They
won 7 steal the money--if they do
we II make them work it out on the
roads in another fashion,
At the evening meeting Governor
West presented Frank Terrace with {
gold watch as token of recognition
Of his work in boosting good roads by
the friends Of permanent highways il
this state. Mr. Terrace replied by saw
ing that the movement was close to his
heart and that he wanted all the farm
crs to realize that their prosperity wa,
closely connected with good roads
81 In asking you to build good roads,
said Mr.. Hill at the evening meeting
after he had paid tribute to the worl
Of Governor West in using convicts OF
the roads, ~ am merely asking yol
to do yourselves a favor and make al
investment that will return five hun
dred fold" Mr.. Hill closed-by stating
that he did not know of any capita
city in the union surprising Salem in
beauty. Views of good roads in al
parts Of the world were shown and i'm
pressed wildly and in practical man
ner the beauty and usefulness of per
maneut highways, There was larg,
attendance at both meetings of pcopl,
who are interested in the advancement
of good roads throughout the state o.
Oregon.