Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-14
SOUTH IS GOING AFTER
INTERSTATE ROAD TRAVEL
Governor Craig, OF North Carolina,
Sends Message to Virginia by
Special Messenger.
WASHINGTON RICHMOND RoAL
1t Will Link North With South In
the Southern National Highway.
Federal Government Being Urged
to Pass Good Roads Bill.

That tho South does not intend 10 be
overlooked In the distribution OF in
tcrstatc road travel, while Keeping in
apparent from the great interest now
being taken in highways by Southern
Governors and Legislatures.
The General Assembly OF North Caro-
lima has just adopted resolutions OF
greeting to Virginia Tennessee, Ar
kansas. Texas, New Mexico. Arizona and
California. requesting that their Gov
errors and Legislatures, the entire
South and the Federal government CO.
operate to.securc the completion OF uu-
finished links in the Southern National
Highway. The North has two open
lines; the South has none.
The response vas instant and en-
thusiastic, proving that il IL still solid
South III the best sense. In transmit
ting the resolutions TO Virginia. Cow
ernor Craig sent a personal represents
tive. Or. :. NJ Johnson, one of the lead
ing spirits Of the Southern Highway, to
Governor stuart with message which
closed AZ follows:
The vision OF this great highway has
grown ever more distinct. until II seems
to me the lofticst in conception aud the
most hcnehccnt in promise that ha.
ever appealed To the nigh patriotism Of
our people. 1t links the North and tho
South, the East and the West, the old
and new. in bond of living unity, In
terest, hope and cndeavor. too strong
for either strife or war to ever break"
Governor Stuart stressed the move
ment by a message to the Virginia Leg
islature in which he said:
THE Southern National HIGHWAY nm
peals irresistibly 10 the patriotic i'm =
pulse. II links together Richmond and
( Washington, the South and the North,
from coast TO coast. With conditions
favoring outdoor life at a time when
many in the North seek relief from cold,
this highway promises much for that
national unity which is born OF personal
touch and closer acquaintance formed
IN travel. When consider these
things, We conclude that President Will
son must have had in mind the great
through routes Of auto travel when he
stated at the American Road Congress
at Atlantic CITY that his enthusiasm for
good roads was mainly because they
promoted the wider acquaintance which
breaks down sectionalsm, and enables
people TO think, feel, and act together
in all that pertains 20 tho national life.
] agree with Governor Craig in his
estimate OF the value Of this highway.
Z
country. and believe Virginia should
join the other States In this work OF
Iolty constructive patriotism.
When the Improvement OF a particu-
lar road is OF such Importance as 10 be
demanded by an entire State. and when
number of states spanning the con-
tinen' have linked together n scries o.
. roads OF such Statewide importance
thereby constituting transcontincntal
! highway. the cooperation Of the Fed
eral government with the states in the
/ Improvement OF the road rs national
highway would seem not only justified.
nut inevitable; should the Federal gov
eminent decide TO enter upon the con-
struction % 4 system OF highways"
The cooperation Of the Federal gov
ernment Is thus invited, and about al,
the Southern Governors have Joined IN
! urging Congress without further delay
TO pass good roads bill. They do NOT
ask comprehensive bill-only a meas.
ure like the Simmons Post Road bill re-
enacted. carrying an appropriation OF
| Sl,o00,00o, some OF which could he err :
pioyed for needy sections In all the
'ranscontincntal lines. The American
Automobile Association naturally is in
tercsting its countrywide membership
in this effor, 10 facilitate Federal road
activities.