The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-08
GUIDE POST IS
GOOD SAMARITAN
TOAUTOhOD|L|STS
Private Enterprise Marking
Roads Enlisted by War
Department. |

The more civilized man becomes the
moro easily he gets lost. In the semi
barbaric days he trod untracsed wilds
and painless seas, but always somehow
he got there"
In later times, having seemingly lost
his sense of direction. he began to
mark his trail so that he could find his
way back. The gashed bark OF tree
trunk has guided countless men and
women to their destinations; but when
the forests fell before the march of
civilization, and as the speed of the
traveller increased. better road markers
became essential.
So there appeared various crude
boards nailed on poles and set up at
crossroads. stones covered with mum
bers indicating distances, and similar
landmarks such as may still be found
in many country districts.
But until n short time ago there was
no attempt to establish systematic
marking of American roads. Every To-
oality had Its own style and in many
instances the guide boards were SO
weather-beaten and defective as to be
valueless. The automobile tourist who
went beyond the boundary of his county
found IL necessary to stop at every
cross-road and ask to be directed or
his way. Usually the information h,
got was of little use. because any dis.
lance exceeding ten or fifteen miles
was out of the farmers reckoning.
Four years ago the b. Il. Goodrich
Company, realizing the necessity OF
an adequate system OF road markers
Stepped In where governing bodies had
failed. and has since made safe fol-
travel over 100000 miles of roads in all
parts OF the United states.
Great Touring stimulus
This work has been carried out sys.
tematlcally under the supervision OF
experts and In n style which has won
the approval and cooperation Of local
bodies. automobile clubs and even state
legislatures.
While only one road marking crew
operated during the first year. it's work
met with such thorough approval that
larger plans were ifrtdo for tho second
years work three crews being sent
out-one working through the Middle
West. another through the Pacific
Coast States. and the third In the East.
Tho sign now being used is made OF
galvanized armor metal with aluminium
afhN'ao INV NhN AaNNs
not rust " deteriorate and Is In All
respects tho most serviceahle road
marker that has ever been devised
More than 100000 Of these signs
mark the roads In twenty-five states,
and cover three main trans-contlnen'ai
routes. They have been erected at
cost OF over SIS enoh and have unaues-
tionahly done much To stimulate the
good roads movement. develop Amer
lean touring and add TO the rapiuiy
growing desire among motorists TO
''Sco America First"
Another great stimulus TO touring
has been tho publication OF Route
Books, Route Cards. pamphlets, etc.
over million OF which have been ais
tributod throughout all sections OF the
country. These route cards cover nrac-
tically all OF tho main or trunk lines
of travel. with detailed descriptions
showing every turn OF the road,
bridges. railroads dangerous spots and
mileage.
In all OF these efforts there has been
excellent co.oncration by state. County
and Municipal interests. Tho oilico OF
public Roads Of the Department OF
Agricul ure also is interested In this
worls. its engineers having erected
many Of tho Goodrich Guide Post signl
and furnished information with refer.
enco 10 roads now being improved
under federal jurisdiction.
Nnynr ,voah voifr cnr with hot wnter