The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-07-19
|0RE FEDERAL
laid TOR ROAD
BU|LDMGURGED
ormer Road Bureau Man
Makes Stirring Address
to Autoists. ..
RI 1909 NEW MEMBERS

...t FfHrihI ~ .aEM.N HHfN
yeloped into Enthusi-
astic Body.
pekter roads in West Virginia Will
can that thousands of touring auto
|0bilists WIN visit your state de-
ared N. Q. Eldridge, Washington,
G.. 3 representative of the Amer
I'M Automobile Association in adj
rossing 3 largely attended meeting
7st eeyntng IN the county court room
the court house. The local club
Hoiyed 100 new members.
mr.. Eldridge In opening said that
had been in Faiimont before, but
ut occasion was in the interest OF
ads for the United States govern
emit. he having formerly been con-
-cted with public road work for
<entysfive years.
The American Automobile Associa-
ON stands for better roads and bet
p traffic laws, he stated. 1t favors
e establishment OF national high
Jays The Townsent plan now pro.
/oes hat35from two to five per cen.
the road mileage OF the country
~ be Improved by the federal gov
nment. This will probably give the
rntral and eastern states one main
Ioroughfare from the east to the
lest andeone from the north to the
|uth. Under the existing federal
pad legislation the government
7euds 10000 q mile, that is, fifty
pr cent of the total cost, but it is
anned o shayesit increased to $40 90
mile. Unfortunately some Of the
<1tes are parceling It out to the coun-
IS where disconnected roadwork is
ones Under this plan 1t would re-
'lire almost seyenty-five years to
Qprove all Of the mileage Of the ma
The American Automobile Associa-
.on favors a plan In which a road
arts from some where and goes to
YmeWhere. but he cautioned his hear
r5 that discretion should be exer-
|sed 9 that the road improved may
elcug market routes so that farm
rs desiring to come to the city may
g benefited also. He urged tho
1fot8ts to build up sentiment for
,ore extensive federal road building
Unfortunately the United States De-
'11tmept OF Agriculture ruled that
irt roads come under the meaning
rdttrable roads" but everyone
'noWa that q heavy rain will almost
pin q dirt road within g short time
nd the money expended on II lhereby
fasted. What we want are roads
bat arc roads. 365 drys Gui Of the
eqrH declared the speaker. lie be-
eyed that the federal g~p~rrrr,ant
(iou}d pay oven as rsTet a. ;hree-
|leftcFs cf the cost OF crrstrur:irn.
m fhe way Of tfns,;atc.a y" said
POI rpEd between Fasr;ncrt ar@ Graf
pa Wctt6 ln OF rs puc:, ~ ~ the
|1f7fiefA ms to the autaisis a. oil in
st g4ction would use Il. Ste h..
<yed that h worst road IN .ha t'uited
bites was betr,ecn Cumberland and
Itcrshtrg. WITCH carsea him a de-
<eclhtson Of $50 brc,rse Of the i'm
stable condition of ;ho thorough
rs. he having brcisrn his autp
brings. As one who had Travelled
y oNertbe Rocky Mounts MS he de-
|nred&that no scenery con,d excel
lat of The West Virginia hills and
wes certain that West Virginia
j7eded better roads ms a means Of
viting auto tourists from without
Htrnihation of sharp curves and
nforops railroad crossings were al
mefteTAsihat the A. A. A. Is inter
5tcd IN re subway ways or overhead
|ansff cannot be secured he thought
bat danger markers should be placed
OF more than 200 feet away from
be- tracks, Freshly oiled roads that
.ce especially where no screening or
ma covered over 1t. Roads signs
.c declared were especially import
ut especially to persons from other
tates who are unacqua4nted with the
.oltutry. Every intersection should
e properly marked.
Tho American Automobile Assocaa-
Jon IS trying 10 work out a plan Of
cc<proctty between states so that
here arcSuutt1rm automobile fegufa-
lon and ftgfstr1tfon. In some states
3 the present time, the speaker de-
'1rcd. there are forty-eight differ
( kinds 81 tees, based on the ton.
30 and horsepower Of machines.
Tort b n11de 20 have every state
. an {nei bney recetved from autos
ro&d Du| POSES, Bstter and moro
1Ifom fo1,s@are also being sought
that tne$4 Inlglt be standardized
IA 11snpliflkd TO the end that they
..~&< ~ 1frln N m nntn nwnnra IN.