The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-08
HIGHWAY BOOSTERS BEGIN INSPECTION OF EASTERN ROUTE Pass Through Towns of At more, Brewton and Anda- lusia-Travel 100 Miles FIND ROADS IN
 EXCELLENT SHAPE Enthusiasm Rampant for New Route and Commission Will Have Diffi- cult Decision to Make-Party
 Returns to Montgomery
By L.. s. BETTY

By L.. s. BETTY
 Andalusia, June 7.-(Special.)-The For rest Highway scouting party today be- gan an inspection of the proposed eastern route of the highway, making the trip from Bay Minette to Andalusia, pass ing through the towns of Atmore and Brewton, and travelling something over 100 miles. The fact that the highway scouts arrived in Andausia about this afternoon furnished proof of the fair con- dition of the roads over which they travelled.
 All along the road the party met by good roads enthusiasts; Atmore, Brew ton and other towns sent out escorts, and entertainment was furnished at all places through which the pathfinders passed.
 From Andalusia an escort of about 90 machines drove out F miles to meet the party, and from there on there was an automobile procession into the city. Ar irving a Andalusia, the party was escort ed through the principal streets of the city and was shown various points of interest Tn and around the place.
 The feature of the days trip was the banquet at which citizens of Andalusia
 
 More than 100 prominent citizens of An dalusia, Brewton, Luverne and other places in this section were seated at the tables. Col. Allen Crenshaw of Anda- lusia, who had accompanied the party from Montgomery, presided at the ban- quet and introduced the various speakers Among those who responded to toasts were President Richard w. Massey of Birmingham of the Forrest Highway as- sociation; H. A. Wheeling of Rome, sec retary; State Highway Engineer w. $. keller, Judge Charles R. Bricken of Lu- verne, nominee for court of appeals; Trammel E. Henderson of Andalusia, del egate from the Second district to the national democratic convention at St. Louis; H. C.. Rankin, mayor of Brewton; Judge J. L. Herring, executive memb CT or the Forrest Highway association; w. H. Allbritton and others.
 WELCOMED BY MAYOR
 Mayor S. H. Gillis of Andalusia well comed the visitors. Andalusia and this section of the state are as anxious to secure the Forrest Highway as are Green vile, Monroeville and other towns along the proposed eastern route. In fact, there IS scarcely any difference in the amount of enthusiasm shown by the citizens of the rival routes. Each route has it's ad- Vantages. and it is certain that the high way commissioners will be put to se- were task in designating the official high way But, regardless of which route is selected, it is certain that the two roads will be built.
 Assurance of this fact was given the highway scouts by citizens all along the proposed routes. They made 1t evident beyond all doubt that they are interested in highway construction, nrfl deterred in their purpose to construct better roads by any decision that the Forrest highway officials may make. In fact Covington county already has embarked upon an exceptional era of road building, as we'll as Crenshaw county, lying between Montgomery and Covington
 The distance from the western Cov- lngton line to Montgomery is more than 100 miles. and there is now a splen- did highway with 50-foot right of way extending practically its entire length. The road from Brewton to the Covington line and slightly beyond, While in a fair condition, is in need or considerable improvement, and this road soon will be built. Assurance also has been given that the road leading from Brewton south through Atmore and Bay Minette, distance of about oo miles. will be constructed within the near future.
 ANDALUSIA FLOURISHING
 :, Andalusia is perhaps one of the most Ilourishing and progressive towns in southeast Alabama Within the past rive years there has been a great aWaken1ng here as well as throughout the county. Covngton is the only coun- ty in the state which can claim the olstlnction of having doubled it's popu- latlon twice within the last 20 years and it is said that the next census will snow proportionate increase
 The boast of Andalusia is it's pack > ing house. This institution was built at cost of $150.OO0 and is said to be one or the most modern in the United states. It is owned entirely by local people The packing house is equipped 10 handle 150,000 head of hogs per an mum and indica tions are that this sup ply will be furnished by citizens of Coyington and adjacent counties
 The packing house had it's formal opening a few days ago and the insti- tut1on started off as smoothly as clock work Thousands of hogs were slaught- cred and then began Alabamas new est industry, an industry that bids fair 10 achieve wonderful success and to make this section famous as one of the most advanced and progressive in Ala bama
 But the packing house is not the only great undertaking in which cit izens or Andalusia and CovingtOn feel Just pride. The county is now con structing here courthouse which will cost considerably over $1O0,O0O. A handsome $40000 schoolhouse is one of the notable institutions here. as we'll as other large public buildings. Fine residences attest the prosperity of the citizens of the town Farming lands here are high. Near the city farm lands cannot be purchased for less than $50 to $100 per acre and the price is con stantly advancing. The rural popula- tfen has more than doubled within the past 10 years and constantly new set tiers are locating in the county. The trip of the highway scouts to- morrow will lead back to Montgomery by way of. Luverne. At Luverne a lar becue will be furnished the ,vistors and the scouts will then return to the Capital City. Every feature of the trip has been enjoyable and President Massey and other officers of the asso- citation have expressed themselves as immensely pleased with the reception accorded them all along the two pro- posed routes.