Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-16
LEGISLATORS URGED
TO CREATE STATE
ROAD DEPARTMENT.
System of Trunk Highways
Can Be Provided With Funds
to Be Secured From Federal
Government

Members of the general assembly,
practically all of whom were present
Thursday night at a dinner given in
their honor by the Georgia State Auto
mobile association at the Kimball House,
were urged to enact legislation at the
present session which will make pos
sible the construction of a state system
of trunk highways and permit the coun-
ties of Georgia to participate in the
federal highway funds.
The various speakers pointed out that
there is now available in the United
States treasury the sum of more than
$500, waiting to be used for the con-
struction of good roads in Georgia as
soon as this state establishes prac-
tical highway department conforming
to the requirements of the federal plan.
1t was urged that legislation be enacted
at this session which will enable Geor-
gia to participate in the distribution OF
this fund.
Among the speakers who stressed the
necessity for good roads Legislation
were President Sam Olive, of theSsen-
ate: Clark Howell, Garland H. Jones,
of Coweta; Speaker John N Holder,
Cliff Williams, federal employment
agent: Morton Turner, of Brooks, ana
w. S. Keller, state highway engineer OIL
Alabama. q w. Tom Winn, president OF
the association, presided as master OF
ceremonies. -.
President Olive told his hearers that
the general assembly had gathered this
time prepared to pass h law with teeth
in it" on the subject of good ROADS. ne
declared that he was not Weooeo 10 any
one system of highway management.
but was in favor OF adopting S'"iiu0A -
plan and adhering to 1t.
clark Howell in a Commute ADDRESS,
outlined the needs of the state as re-
cards good roads, asserting that Geore Id
iS inst as able to handle the gooo roauS
nroposition as California, whlch mas
thousands of miles of excellent Nigh
wavs. He pointed out the oenehts az
cruing to all classes or cltlzehs aS lh9
result of good roads cohstruct -. !.
insisted that sectional Jealousles oue''
ro+ to obstruct state development.
Snaoler Holders remarks were along
49, Inc indicated by those of President
OIiva anphasizing the need OF adequate
IeoisIation and expressing the oelleI
+hst the present legislature Will remedy
the present anomalous SITUATION
Eocts and figures to show the eco
roroic value of good highway systems
in developtng the resources OF the SIate
-,,ara presented by Morton Turner ana
GARLAND Jones, seth of whom held the
close attention or the legislators
thew stressed the urgency of the prop
lem now confronting Georgia.
A description of the methods employ.
ed nv the Alabama highway department.
in developing a trunk line highway sys-
+aro featured the address of Mr.. Keller
who. in a business-like speech mace II
Main to his hearers that only by thor
oughly systematized highway depart
rnent can any commonwealth hope to At
tain success in good roads development
The passage of legislation to permit
counties to pass bonds for ROAD con
struction by two-thirds vote OIL those
,,o+ing instead of two-thirds of the reg
istered voters, was urged upon the gen.
eral assembly, while every speaker
pointed out that it will be necessary 10
pass measures allowing state funds 10
be used for the construction OF a state
wide system of trunk line highways.