The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-05
BANi<HEAD HIGHWAY
PATHFINDERs- OFF
Span to Atlanta is Started From Capi
tol After Many Speeches
Twenty Autos in Party

Washington, Nov. 5. In driving
rain the pathfinding tour for the new
national highway span between Wash
ington and Atlanta, Ca, started from
the Capitol after brief ceremonies in
the rotunda. About twenty automo-
biles carried the pathfnders, includ.
ing Senator Bankhead Of Alabama
and Representative Webb Of North
Carolina as the congressional repre-
sentatives.
President Wilson, because Of en-
gagements, and other cabinet officers
were unable to review the pathfnd-
ers.
The Bankhead highway is to extend
from the National Capitol to Los
Angeles, the longest post road in the
world.
Fully 500 persons assembled in the
rotunda of the Capitol to listen to
addresses by Senators Bankhead of
Alabama, Hoke Smith of Georgia,
Duncan Fletcher of Florida, Gov. G.
B. d. Harding of the Federal Reserve
Board, Controller of the Currency
John Shelton Williams, Representa-.
tive Webb of North Carolina and AS
sistant Secretary of the Interior vog-
elsang of Los Angeles, Cal.
Pay High Tribute.
Senator Bankhead paid high trib.
ute of the undertaking, and said that
he felt greatly honored in having his
name at the head of what he believed
to be one Of the most important move
ments before the country today. In
wishing god-speed to those men who
were about to blaze the trail on this
tremendous piece Of road work, Sen.
ator Bankhead said:
1T is a pity that the weather is not
more favorable for you who are about
to start out on what I deem one of
the most important pieces Of con.
structional work ever attempted in
the United States, a project that will
eventually connect the two great
oceans by magnificent roadway, but
the honor Of being one Of those who
are to start this great work will fully
compensate you for any inconviences
that might come to you owing to the
inclemency Of the weather.
The building Of this great notional
highway is not iy-by-night under
taking, but a legitimate piece of bus
mess authorized under the charters
of the laws Of Alabama, and which,
when finished, will be OF great help
to our country, both in times Of war
and peace, than any other undertak.
ing ever before attempted"
Spoke Of Untirina Efforts.
Snator Hoke Smith spoke of the
untiring efforts of Senator Bankhead
in getting this work started, and said
that while there had been more con.
structive Legislation passed during
the present administration than had
been enacted during the past fifty
years of the country's history, he
thought nothing would be of more
benefit to the country's good than the
bill that made possible the better
ment Of our roads.
Secretary Vogelsang of the Interior
Department said that he felt sure
the Bankhead highway would not stop
at Los Angeles, but would continue, ON
to Seattle after reaching California.
The pathflnders went up Pennsy,.
vania avenue and crossed into Virgin.
ia planning their first important ston
today at Richmond.
The delegations from Burlington
Mebane, Raleigh, Durham, N. c.. and
Richmond, Fredericksburg, Peters.
burg and Clarksville, Va, will escort
the party through their respective
states.