Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-08-02

The following thoughtful ana re-
markablv Illuminating summary Oh
ms good roads situation in New Mex
i.n was delivered Friday in Santa te,
bv Francis e. Lester, president OF lhe
New Mexico Association of HIGHWAY
! pfficials al the annual meeting OF
that organization Mr.. Lester con
cieeN and graphically presents the
problems which confront New Mex
leo today with reference TO pet'ei
highways. For years close student
Of the better highways propasahuh'
ana especially familiar with conai-
tons past and present in New MeSicu'
Mr. LISTERS address is worthy the
careful perusnl of every citizen oil the
state.
The address follows:
Gentlemen of the Conventions
We are assembled here today, AZ
the seat of our state government IN
der conditions that should be an NJ
spifation to this convention 10 pro-
duoe some very definite ana very
practical results. Gathered together
in this senate chamber are the men
who make the county levies that pro-
duce our county road funds the men
who, working without salary as mem
beers of our county road boards, ex-
pend those funds. the members OF
the state highway commission, VINO
supervise and control the Interests OF
the state in all her Dads; ana our
attorney general. We meet at
time when the question of better
highways upon which TO travel is q
live and growing public issue WIN
the people of our state. Nlthln inc
next year approximately one miiiloh
dolhirs will probably be avaiapie LOT
road building in New MeNlco d
much larger sum than in any pre-
vious year in the history of our com
monwealth. Our legislature meets
during the coming winter. and the
manifold defects in our local road
laws, which We're the subject OF con
sideration at the convention OF TINS
association year ago, should pc cor
rected so that road administration
may be more efficient. Inspired py
these unusual conditions and thell
tremendous possibilities, let us APP
proach our work in spirit OF earn
estness and fairness, with determln-
alton to learn new ideas and TO lm'
part them. and should serious differ
ences of opinion develop. to settle
them by the standard OF the qnes
tion. What is best for our state
Enthusiasm Necessary.
In most communities the gooe
roads movement divides itself into
two stages. The first of these is th'
Period of Enthusiasm, when th'
interest of the people, VINO, III I'M
long run, must be behind the goot
roads movement to make It success
full IS aroused. This arousing or ell
thusiasm is very necessary part o
the good roads propaganda, although
It's immediate, definite results ar
often disappointing. If our conVeh
lions tonfine themselves to the DIS
playing of badges, to ardent speeche
and to resolutions indorsing trans
continental highways that may o
may not he built within the mex
twenty years, they become ineftec
tive. The popular plan in recen
years of holding a good roads DAY, !
an excellent one only so far as
serves to arouse the interest OF IN
public and to direct that interes
along definite. organized lines OF IN
ture work, for the permanent vain
of the actual road work done durin
such a day is usually not great. An
the enthusiasm of conventions an
celebrations has often a kick to
in the shape of an unhealthy reac
ton that is in proportion TO III
dearth of permanent results.
The second stage in the good road
propaganda is that OF "constructiv