Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-10-21
WEST VIRGINIA ROADS.

The fair name of West Virginia has
been attacked by a representative of
the Pittsburgh Automobile Club thru
the American Motorist, journal that
reaches many thousands of readers
and tourists in all parts of the count
ry. The articles in full is as follows:
"Waitin' at the Blacksmith Shop" In
West Virginia.
Editor American Motorist:
Through the columns of the Ameri-
can Motorist / wish you would call
the attention of tourists to the very
dangerous condition of the road be-
tween Romney and Springfield in West
Virginia. This road runs along the
south branch of the Potomac and the
scenery is beautiful. Alongside of
the road at and near the hanging rocks
and nearWappocoma there is notroom
for two vehicles to pass, the river
down below the road and the railroad
above. have been over it number
of times and never found it dry or free
from deep ruts which throw, even a
heavy car, from side to side in most
dangerous manner. Should one meet
another car in this place Icannot force
see other than one would have to back
cat
This road at very little expense
could be drained and the holes filled
with stone. In fact, at small cost the
whole stretch of about mile could be
drained and places widened to allow
vehicles to pass. The authorities of
Hampshire county and the city of Rom
ney seem to take no interest in the
matter, and so think their attention
will best the brought to it by notify
ing our members to cut out this road
and to go south by way Of the Nation
al road and valley pike. Recently at
Cumberland, turned three tourists
from the Romney road owing to the
dangerous condition.
"The renewal of the source of the
almighty dollar" frequently brings
results when civic pride fails, and /
would suggest that all automobilists
be urged at all times to spend no
money in towns which allow their
streets to become rutty and stony.
Personally, / will not, except in case of
emergency, spend cent in town of
that kind. There is no use spending
my coin in towns where they sit
around the blacksmith shop waiting to
see me break an axle in the ruts in
their streets. We will get results just
as soon as Smith at Ligonier and
Jones at Youngstown finds thatmotor
lists do not stop at his hotel or garage,
but go on to progressive town which
has some pride and encourage the
visits of the traveller.
II am sending copy of this letter
to the judge of Hampshire county, w.
Va. and I will wager that he waken
up someone down there.
Very truly yours,
JOHN A. HAWKINS,
Member Automobile Club
of Pittsburgh"
This class of advertising is detri-
mental to the citizenship and the peo-
pie of West Virginia. While great
strides have been made in road i'm
provements just the neglected piece
of road by some one road official ever
makes possible the peaved condition
that this article demonstrates and
doubtless was prompted by it.
If road official, supervisor or agent
has not qualified himself to properly
care for any particular piece of road,
he should call the assistance of the
road department, and should at least
write them for their literature which
is free to any person who asks for it.
Roads can and should be properly
drained and crowned. With this small
effort conditions as set out in the ar
ticle by Mr.. Hawkins will not be found
in West Virginia. Let the people of
West Virginia rebuke this class Of adj
vertising bye making attractive the
roads to tourists whoseek pleasure and
opportunity to spend their time and
money with US. People of the large
cities need the benefit of the noun
tain air and we need companionship
and money.