The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-17
NATIONAL ROAD
OPEN ALL YEAR
Automobile Journeys from
Washington to San Diego
Can Be Made Any Time.

"l highway rom washington to San
Diego. Calf. and from San Diego to
Washington at almost any time Of the
year. II has been done within the
last few weeks by company Of Ar
Sonauts working to the East from
me California terminus and made in
great comfort and without untoward
incident In this drive across the con
linent covering distance OF about
$500 miles. The expedition was
headed by DR.. William b. Gross. a
retired physician and capitalist OF
san Diego and representatives OF the
Southern National Highway Assocla-
ton. who were accompanied by u. II.
Bnrrcll. an engineer of the United
states office OF public roads and rural
engineering. The expedition set out
from San Diego on November Q ana
twenty-si1 days later reached the
national capital. having travcrsed
eight states on the way.
The special object of the cxpedi-
ton was to prove by actual test the
entire feasibility OF the southern ma
ttonal highway. its advantages from
an Industrial and economic point OF
view. it's wonderful scenic attractive
ness and its worthy claim upon the
consideration of Congress in the ex-
tension OF federal aid for the compile
ton OF this great national project. a
good many bad places were found
along the way. engineering problems
to be solved, grades to be settled,
bridges to be built, directions to be
noted and questions OF construction
to be considered; but from start to
finish disposition upon the part of
the people to approve any reasonable
measure of public aid for great pub
lie purpose upon a fair appreciation
OF the public benefits which would
ensue.
California is spending s1S. 1000. 900
on state highways and with this ex-
penditure Is promised that there will
be built concrete highway sixteen
feet wide from the main road to ev-
cry county seat In the state. The
main road is to be extended from El
Centre to Yuma. which will give the
state Il concrete highway 203 miles
in length. This extension is TO be
built with convict labor. Work on
state highway work in California be-
gan in May. 1912. under the direction
aud supervision OF state highway
commission and ut the end of the
two years the state roads to the eX-
tent OF liza miles had been located,
and, including these sections, sur
vcys had heen made Of state high
ways aggrcgating ., $50 miles. Last
year contracts had been made for the
construction OF 9s7 miles OF the state
roads. OF which $50 miles are TO be
OF cement concrete construction. The
construction of these roads is not
left TO ignorance and chance. but is
committed to the care OF competent
highway engineer. a. Il. Fletcher,
who is the executive officer OF the
state highway commission, or what
would be called In business cOrpor-
alton. the general manager. Under
his immediate direction and supervis-
ion are the several departments OF en-
cheering and operation. legal depart
ment in the right of way matters,
purchasing department. accounting.
disbursing and publication and sta
tistical departments. SO that there Is
perfect coordination in all the work
of the highway commission with ex-
cellent service to the public and di-
rect responsibility for the proper ad-
ministration of the office. Building
goods roads without providing for the
state requires a license from motor
vehicles. Last year this license yieiG-
cd Sl,35O.0O0. gross. the half Of
which amount was paid to the state
for the maintenance of the road and
the remaining half TO the counties
from which payment had been made
ON their way East the San Diego
party reported that they found the
roads which are part OF the south
crn national highway generally good
throughout the state OF Arizona, WIN
bad spots here and there, OF course,
but with the assurance from the coun-
~ commissioners that before the end
OF 1916 the highway in Arizona
would be put in first rate condition
its entire length They also found
! that New Mexico Is arranging for the
1 Improvement OF its ROADS and tina.
many bond issues had been voted for
this purpose. In Texas the party was
able 10 get through in the northern
part of the state the roads were not
such as to invite in wet weather. In
| Arkansas certain stretches OF the
road were in good condition. but with
many places that required treatment
and no part OF the road that could
be regarded as impossible except in
rainy weather. In Tennessee, the
road in many sections was as good as
any along the entire route. and IN
North Carolina the roads were equal
10 any We found throughout the on.
tire South"
One Of the discoveries made by tho
Argonauts was that the hotels alonl
the line are excellent, and the peopl,
are willing to give assistance at al
| times day or night and help the tray.
cler TO find his way II lost in tho
woods or not sure OF the roads direc.
ton" The historic and scenic al
fractions OF the southern highway are
most impressive. from the first sci.
Element at jamestown on the East IL
San Diego. the place OF first thing,
on the Pacific coast; through the
orange groves and vineyards OF Cali.
fornia. across the broad plains Of
Texas now filing up with progressive
farmers, through the Superstition
mountains of Arizona breathing stor.
les Of Spanish conquest and Indian
defense. and among hills and noun.
tains Of Tennessee and North Carolina
"reminiscences in long forgotten trails
and stockades OF where STURDY
pioneers struggled for freedom in this