West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-05-14

To the People OF the State OF West yir-
ginia, Greeting:


ginia, Greeting:
Whereas, The urgent need of good
roads has brought to us one Of the great |
est problems OF this day OF unprecedented
progress and is recognized by all az
commercial improvement that will result
in the greatest good to the greatest
number; and
Whereas, There obtains a unanimity
OF opinion that no effort or expenditure
could bring quicker, surer or greater divi-
dends than that directed toward the con-
struction and improvement OF our pub
lie roads; and
Whereas, In this State the people are
| fully awakened to the benefits that will
be realized from better roads, linking
| together in ties OF closer relationship the
different communities and ahording ave-
nues OF commerce; and
Whereas, The construction and better
ment OF roaIs is matter of direct con-
Germ to every citizens;
Now, therefore, /, Henry ID. Hatfield,
Governor of the State OF West Virginia,
| do hereby set apart Thursday and Friday,
May 1929, 1914, for road work in the
State of West Virginia, and do designate
the aforementioned days as Good Roads
Days" and declare the same public holt
days and request that all other business
| be suspended as far as possible and that
every able bodied citizen labor upon the
public highways of the State during these
two days, and that the work per-
| formed be of a kind that will make a
lasting and permanent improvement, such
as road grading, ditching, culvert build
ing. graveling, dragging, etc.
further call upon the county court of
each county to issue proclamation, call
ing upon the people to turn out on these
days and give their labor, and to see that
complete organization is effected. so the
| work will penetrate to every neighbor-
hood and be conducted i'm thoroughly
systematic way, so that when the end
shall have come at the close of the second
day there will be no community or dis
trict within the borders of the entire State
where there has not been indelibly
stamped by the hand of toll marked
| progress in road improvement that will
bear testimony to the progressive spirit
possessed by hepeople of that community.
urge upon the county and city press
the Importance Of giving their liberal as
sistance in organizing and bringing to the
roads for work an army Of volunteers,
citizens ready to do service in advancing
the welfare Of the people of each commu-
nifty. The liberality OF the press is one
OF the requisites to the success of West
Virgnia's first GOOD Roads, days.
/ also call upon the various CONNER
ciAl organizations of the State, the road
overseers, road engineers and all those
directly or indirectly identified with the
movement for advancement of good roads
to give their enthusiastic and united sup
port in order to carry out this under
taking to a successful completion.
l hope the women of West Virginia
will feel it their duty to participate in the
work and share in the glory of the day.
i, therefore, call upon them AID their
various organizations to prepare dinners
and to see that they are served to the
laborers along the way, thereby showing
their loyalty and interest in this cause.
1t should be the aim Of every West Vir-
ginian to see that these two Good Roads
days will stand as an epoch in the move
ment for the development of the high
ways of every State, and the man who
gives his labor and energy zeaIously i'm
this cause may well feel that he has per-
formed true public duty, the Importance
OF which can only be estimated at this
time. This will be the most significant
public work ever performed in this State,
and the degree of its success rests upon
every loyal citizen.
We will be able to enjoy the fruits OF
our labor, but our posterity will enjoy il
in even larger and more appreciative
measure. The most certain way to adj
vance the State and all its diversified in
dustries is through our roads.
hope the people of the State will enter
heartily into the spirit of the occasion
with earnestness and enthusiasm and a
desire to see that the accomplishment of
these two days will be of surprisingly
great intrinsic value. III We are Jealous
in this pursuit we will give to the Good
Roads movement an imDetus that could
not in any other way be obtained.
In testimony whereof, 1 have hereunto
set my hand and caused to be affixed the
Less Seal OF the State of West Virginia.
Done at the capitol, in the city of
Charleston, this the twenty-third day OF
April, in the year OF Our Lord one thou
sand, nine hundred and fourteen, and of
the State the fifty;frst.
| lSeal J III. ID. HATFIELD.