The Semi-weekly leader., 1916-03-22

cussions brought before the body
opinion was divided as to the va
rious routes suggested; but it was
decisively shown in conclusion that
as far south as Magnolia and Ty-
lertown the most direct route south
of Jackson combining as it does
the counties which have already
built permanent highways, was the
practical route to pursue from
Jackson to the southern end of the
highway. And this was decided
upon by the convention on account
of its natural resources and the ty-
Biography of the country, as far as
the convention designated the
route. Improved roads already
built, lack of heavy grades and the
geography of this section, there be-
ing no crossing of rivers or
swamps together with the neces-
sary and unlimited supply of grav-
el all contributed to the selection
of the route chosen.
The convention accomplished
the purpose of making many new
recruits to the good roads cause
from the spectators present by the
masterfuI but informal addresses
made by such men as d. J. Morri-
son, president of the Mississippi
State Highway Commission, who
is known as the most enthusiastic
of enthusiasts, on the good roads
movement in Miss. ]. w. Nc
|Grath, of the same commission;
Judge d. NJ. Miller, OF. the 14th
Judicial District, of Hazlehurst;
Judge Price, of Magnolia; DR.. W.
E. Little, of Wesson; Hon. ]. S.
Sexton, of Hazlehurst; Hon. Geo.
H. Vernon, of Bogue Chitto; and
DIR. ], M. Dampeer, of Crystal
Springs.
As settled on officially by the
Brookhaven convention the Davis
Highway hugs the /. c." south
of Jackson as far south as Magnol-
ia distance of 98 miles, passing
through and embracing the towns
and cities of Terry, Bryan, Crystal
Springs, HazlehuTst, Martinvsille,
Wesson, Beauregard, Brookhaven,
Bogue Chitto, Johnston Station,
Summit, McComb, Magnolia and
Tylertown, all through a thickly
populated and thriving section,
some of which is noted as the
best worlds producers of certain
kinds of produce.
The meeting as a whole was
what might be called an all day
session having been called to order
in the morning by w. D. Davis,
president of the Brookhaven Board
of Trade. Rev. J. M. Morse, of
the Methodist. church invoking the
supreme blessing on the assemblage
in well yersed language. Mr..
Morse referred in his invocation to
the benefits to be derived by the
spread of the Gospel through the
improvements contemplated in the
Davis Highway movement as we'll
as good roads in general. Mr..
Davis, temporary Chairman ex-
planned that all formal addresses
and welcomes would be dispensed
with in order to save time so that
the aSsemblaqe could get down to
business.
Mr.. D. J. Morrison, of Jackson,
president Of the State Highway de-
partment, which new Miss. depart
ment was approved BY former Gov.
Earl Brewer and now by Gov, Bill
DO, was introduced and gave a
most fitting address for the occa-
sion, although not favofing any
specific route on account of his po-
sition as a servant Of the people.
Mr.. Morrison explained from
personal experiences Is a planter
how he was converttd to the good
roads movement, citing that the
corporations pay so per cent Of the
tax for good fbads, the farmer
owning 100 tosf 800 acres only hav-
ing to pay 40 cents to S1.20 per
year more. taxes. and the rest pro
rata, ASA result of roads he. can
traverse at any and all times Of the
year.
~ Bv statistics continued Mr..
Morrison, so per cent Of the
traffic of the state is carried over
the dirt roads OF improved high-
ways and all are agreed who have
sampled them that the saving to
teams and general efficiency in
carrying large loads is much less
than the cost per capita Of building
.H.