The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-04-26

field is as follows:
A PROCLAMATION
To the People of the State of West
vireinia-Greetins:
Whereas, 1t has recently been said
Good roads mean life and progress;
bad roads mean death and decay:
and
Whereas, West Virginia being one
of the richest states in the union in
natura! resources. and possessing a
citizenship as patriotic as is to be
found, has been looked upon as having
the worst roads, and though abound
ing in the most attractive scenery
the world possesses we have been
stunned by the tourist; and
Whereas, The soil of West Virginia
is as fertile as can be found, Stats
tics show that more than IS per cent
of our improved land is lying idle and
our markets being supplied from
abroad, which is due directly to bad
roads: and
Whereas, The future of our state
and its value TO future generations is
dependent on the ability of our people
to produce material wealth which is
only possible in developing our agri-
cultural and horticultural interests.
and in the expansion of our schools
and social centers. all of which is de-
pendent on the improvement of our
roads; and
Whereas, The urgent need of better
roads places us face to face with one
of the greatest problems Of this age.
but once solved will result in the
greatest good to the greatest number
OF people; and
Whereas. The people of our great
and glorous state recognizing these
facts, in response to my proclamation
did turn out last year and by their
efforts made great and lasting i'm
provements in our roads; and
Whereas. The good work thus done
has heen of so great n value that at
no time in the history of our state has
the roads been as good as they are
now at this season of the year, and
by reason of this the greatest effort
to produce more on the farm Is being
put forth and the spirit of more pro-
duction at home is among the people;
and
Whereas. There has come to me
from various citizens of the state
a call to repeat the good work this
year, and recognizing these facts and
that the Improvement OF our roads is
of direct concern to every citizen;
Now. Therefore. J. Henry d. Hat
field, governor of the state of West
II 6lhltl' w ucIeDS SET apart HuIS-
day and Friday, May Goth and 21st.
1915. for road working in the state of
West Virginia. and do designate the
aforementioned days rs Good Roads
Days" and declare the same public
holidays and request that all other
business be suspended as far rs posi-
Bile and that every able bodied citizen
labor upon the public highways of the
state during these two days, and that
the work performed he of kind that
will make lasting and permanent i'm
provement. such as road grading.
ditching. cleaning bitches. draining
and filling mud holes, building cul-
verts, gravelling, dragging, removing
distractions. etc.
further call upon the county court
OF each county to meet, not later than
Monday. May Sd, to issue proclama-
ton calling upon the people to give
their labor on these days and to ap-
point such persons as are necessary to
effect competent organization so the
work will penetrate to every neigh
borhood and be conducted in thor
oughly systematic way. so that at the
end of the second day there will be no
community or district within the
bounds Of our state where there has
not been indelibly stamped the marks
of patriotic toll in such improvement
of the roads as will bear testimony of
the progressive spirit of the people
OF that community.
call upon the county and city
press to lend their liberal support and
assistance in organizing and bringing
to the road work an army of voIun-
teers to do service in advancing the
welfare OF the people of each com
mounity. The liberal support of the
press for West Virginia's first Good
Roads Days" was of great value and
resulted in much good. and its con-
tinued support is a requisite to the
call upon all commercial, social
success OF West Virginia's second
Good Roads Day.