Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-30
GOOD ROADS MEET
IS ADDRESSED BY
NOTED SPEAKERS
Joe L. Long, Des Moines and w.
G.. Edens, Chicago, Heard
at Illinois Theatre.
MITCHELL Is REELECTED
Again Selected as Head County High
way improvement Association
Favors $1,000 900 Bond Issue.


citation, under whose auspices the
drag contest was held this morning,
this afternoon assembled at the Illi-
nois theater to elect officers for the
ensuing year and hear speeches by
good roads authorities. Joe L. Long.
editor of the Roadmaker, was the
principal speaker.
Because the present officers of the
association have served only three
months. hardly time enough to assert
prerogatiyes, the meeting went on
record in favor of reelection of all
the officers of the association. They
are:
President-Phil Mitchell.
Vice Presidents-Frank G.. Allen,
Moline; George w. Ross, East Mo-
line; ]. w. Simonson, Port Byron;
Edwin l.. Hanson. Hillsdale; w. B.
Crockett, Milan; Rev. a. G. Stewart,
Edgington.
Secretary-Edwin W. Woodcock,
Moline.
Assistant Secretary-O. F. Hide
brandt, Rock Island.
Treasurer-John A. O'Neil, Rock
Island.
Praises Nissen.
Mr. Mitchell made a short speech
of acceptance of his office. He also
read the proclamation of Governor
Dunno designating April Is as good
roads day. He referred to A. f. Mis-
sen, field secretary OF the Iowa State
Auto association. and praised his
work in this county. Other speakers
carded for this afternoon in addition
to Mr.. Long were: W. G. Edens,
president of the Illinois State High
way association; Homer Tice, author
of the Tice good roads law; Samuel
Bradt. chairman of the Illinois high
way commission, and A. n. johnson,
state highway engineer.
Not Due to Auto.
Mr.. Long opened his address with
an historical review of road building
pointing out that the road movement
was not a new thing, nor. as supposed
an out-grouth of the automobile in
dustry.
He told of the magnificent roads
built out of stones ten feet thick by
King CheOps in the Nile valley. down
which were carried the great stones
used in constructing the pyramid that
bears his name and the great temples
that for more than four thousand
years have lined the great causeway.
He said Moses led the Israelites out
Of Egypt over a splendid paved road
and that a splendid system of the !
highest class OF paved roads existed |
N the valley of the Euphrates a thou
sand years before the Exodus
Touching briefly upon the road 4
of India, Rome, Persia and /
,ther ancient world powers, he sur
1rised his hearers with the statement |
hat next TO the Romans, the greatest I
Dad builders of ancient or medieval |
lines were the American Indians. The |
Peruvian Indians built one roadway
seventeen hundred miles long. paved
or its entire distance twenty feet
vide, with bridges in some instances
thousand feet above the water. No
Dad of ancient or modern times sur
'rised this in engineering or in the
abor involved in construction.
Urges Bond Issue.
Discussing the Immediate problem
f hard roads for Rock Island county
e said:
I'm this particular community the
dvantage of a county bond issue for
Dad building to the owners of farm
ands is remarkable indeed. Ii means
hat the farmers will secure 500
rorth of roads at an expense of about
20. Certainly as business PROPOSE
ion this should appeal TO every land
wner or tenant. but do not think
hat | would give to the cities credit
Or acting from an unselfish or gener-
US motive. Even the day laborer in
he city receives a large and direct
enefit from improving highway The
arm products that goes on his table
an be secured more regularly. and at
luch less expense, as a system of
roads connect the
arms or the surrounding country
18th the city in which he lives.
1T is perfectly fair and equitable !
lat the city should contribute
hare toward the building OF this most .
nportant portion OF our transporta-
on system. While the farmer of ,
ock Island county would receive
enefits that are little less than won
erful in proportion to the investment I
would be a splendid business propo-
tion fes the cities that depend upon
lie surrounding country for food
his has been demonstrated in many
{
Other Cities Build Roads.
Philadelphia found il necessary to
lid system OF roads reaching into
10 country. 80 miles I'm every direc-
on in order to secure food for the
sople at reasonable cost. Detroit
paying So per cent of the expense
r a s2,O0O.000 system of concrete
ads connection the surrounding
untry with that OF the city.
II recently Travelled 25 miles out I
pm Detroit on one of these roads n
riy In the morning and met or b
ssed 43 motor trucks bringing milk, c
lit. vegetables. etc. to the city or @
turning from such trips. Land q