Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-05
TELLS ADVANTAGE
OF W. HIGHWAY
Huntingdon Commerce Cham
ber Man Writes Article on
New Road

f.. T.. c. Gibbs member of the Will
liam Penn Highway Committee of the
Huntingdon Chamber of Commerce,
has written an interesting article on
the William Penn Highway, Philadel-
phia to Pittsburgh. which has been
sent out to newspapers throughout
the State.
Mr.. Gibbs article follows:
From where William Penn in
bronze looks down from his lofty
perch on the City of Brotherly Love
to the magnificent industrial cen
ter whose furnaces light up the mid
night sky, runs road that, eventual
~, will prove the principal avenue OF
motor travel through the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania. A goodly
share of this highway is already built,
while other sections are now under
construction by the State Highway
Department. The object of this ar
ticle is to point out the advantages
with which nature has provided 1t and
man partially improved, in order that
the several cities concerned, with their
multitude of interests be brought to-
gether to act in unison towards COM
mon object. The preponderance OF
population and the number of cities
served, together with the advantages
of level gradients and natural adVan-
tageS, were mentioned in a previous
statement which did not cover the
points now to be mentioned.
1T will make permanent avenue
for motor truck and other traffic for
all seasons of the year, preventing
food and coal shortages, especially in
the smaller towns, during the winter
months. II Will also assist telephone
and telegraph lines now paralleling
the highway. by rendering easier and
more prompt access to these lines by
repair crews and linemen on motor
cycles. Some of this route is now
practically closed during Fall and
Spring months by reason of road con-
ditions. Farmers will appreciate
moving crops at all times and not be-
ing barred from a good market by
impossible roads.
"It will make n most valuable and
necessary adjunct to American and
which supplies and men could be NOV
ed to eastern or western coasts by
motor truck transportation.
PENNSYLVANIA never has refused
men or material to the nation in time
of need, and it is a settled fact that
the keystone State would be first to
volunteer. Her National Guard, sup
plemented by the volunteers, would
play an important part in the event OF
Il foreign foe attacking the eastern
Seaboard. The thousands of motor
trucks and cars, now in service in the
State, would materially supplement
the railroads in moving war supplies,
as the capacity of continuous col
umn of rapid moving motor trucks,
with only small intervals between, al
most staggers belief.
Tourist travel passing over this
road through the multitude of cities
and villages, would never be out OF
easy reach of garage service and as
sistance, and the proximity OF river
and mountain streams guarantees that
water, the Indispensable item for the
motorist is always in easy reach. 1t
would also place a chain of the hest
hotels in the State at the service of
the travellers. 1t would be represen-
tative route worthy of the Keystone
Commonwealth, passing through its
industrial centers and giving proper
idea of the States prosperity and mag
nitude.
"The city family owning a car,
will be provided easy access to mil
| lions of beauty spots along the scenic
rivers of the State; there to build bun
galowS an summer homes where they
can enjoy the beauties of field and
stream, the placid joys of the fisher
man or those of the more strenu-
Gus hunter and pedestrian. Best or
all, the improved road brings excess
of valuation for any adjoining prop
erty and every piece of real estate
abutting or adjacent TO this road will
be greatly increased in value. while
the bringing of the town people and
farmer together in the Community of
Interest idea, broadens the ideas of
each class and effectually promotes
their mutual welfare. There is still
much to be said on the subject of this
great road. and the attention of all
| thinking men and citizens is invited
to the many problems of alternate
routes by which the greatest good to
the greatest number can he accom-
plished.
"E. f. G. GIBBS.
Member W. p. Fl. Committee, Hunt
Iingdon Chamber of Commerce.