The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-08-05
GU|DEPOSTIS IS
GOOD SAMARITAN
AUTOMOBILES
Private Enterprise Marking
Roads Enlisted by War
Department.

Tho more civilized man becomes the
more easily he gets lost. In the semi
barbaric days he trod untracked wilds
and pathless seas. but always somehow
he "got there.'
In later times having seemingly lost
his sense Of direction. he began "a
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 pcles and set up at
crossroads. stones covered with num-
landmarks such as may stilI be found
In many country districts.
But until a short time ago there was
no attempt to establish systematic
marking of American roads. Every To-
cality had its own style and IN many
instances the guide boards were so
weather-beaten and detective as to be
valueiess The automobile tourist who
went beyond the boundary Of his county
found it necessary to stop at every
cross-road and ask to be directed on
his way. Usually the infJsmation he
got was Of little use, because any dis
tance exceeding ten or fifteen miles
was out OF the farmers reckoning.
Four years ago the -. al Goodrich
Company realizing the necessity Of
an adequate system Of road markers,
stepped in where governing bodies had
failed, and has since made safe for
travel over 100000 miles of roads in all
parts of the United States.
Great Touring stimulus
This work has been carried out sys-
tematically under the supervision Of
experts and in q 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, Its work
met with such thorough approval that
larger plans were made for the second
years work, three crews being sent
ouf-one working through the Middle
West another through the Pacific
Coast States, and the third In the East
The sign now being used Is made Of
galvanized arnor metal with aluminium
letters sunk into the surface It viii
not rust or deteriorate and is in all
respects the most serviceable road
marker that has ever been devised.
More thas 100000 Of these signs
and cover three main rans-continental
routes. They have been erected at a
cost Of over $5 each and have unQues-
tionably done much TO stimulate the
good roads movement. develop Amer
ican touring and add to the rapidly
growing desire among motorists to
"See America First"
Another great stimulus to touring
has been the publication Of Route
Books. Route Cards. pamphlets. etc.
over a million Of which have been dis
trlbuted throughout all sections OF the
country These route cards cover prac-
ticaiiy all Of the main or trunk lines
Of travel. with detailed descriptions
showing every turn Of the road.
bridges. railroads dangerous spots and
mileage
U an Of these efforts there has been
excellent cooperation by state. Couty
and Municipal interests. The ONCE Of
Public Roads of the Department Of
Agriculture also Is interested in this
work its engineers having erected
many Of the Goodrich Guide Post signs
and furnished information with refer
cnce to roads now being improved
under federal jurisdiction.
Never wash your car with hot water.
Tepid water Is best for this purpose.
Hot water spoils the varnish and de-
stroys luster.
In passing other vehicles going IN
the direction which YOU are travelling
keep TO the left. except In the case OF
trolley cars.