Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-15
OFFICIALS UNITE
TO BID GODSPEED
TO TRUCK CONVOY.
Secretary Baker Sends
Motor Train on Cross
Continent Trip.
BANKHEAD'S DAUGHTER
TAKES PART IN FAREWELL
Gives Wreath to Commander
for Token to Mayor of
Los Angeles.
ARRIVE IN RICHMOND TODAY
Hinyor Ainslic and Chamber OF
Commerce Appoint Commit
tees OF Welcome.
|BANKHEAD'S DAUGHTER
TAKES PART IN FAREWELL
ARRIVE IN RICHMOND TODAY
Fhnyor Ainslic and Chamber OF
Commerce Appoint Commit
tees OF Welcome.
tBy s,an corresponden,)

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. VA. June Il.
i|Sped on by Secretary OF War Baker
,s pa,hfndcrs in the cause OF COM
pletc national unity. material as we'll
hs spiritual. and AZ the means OF
tecpinS alive and broadening that
Fympathy which sprang up between
he country military forces and tn.
ivilian population during the great
var. tho army motor transport con-
oy hit the trail from Washington TO
fhn Diego. Cal, this morning a. 1920
clock.
High omcials of the army and tho
government during the ceremonies
vhich preceded the start. bid God
peed to the convoy AS II stood in
he shadow of the White House
cady to begin the long journey
cross the cont!nen, b. way OF the
'ankhcad National Highway to
Nmcrica's farthest Western boundary.
Though the Capitol sweltered with
eat. weather conditions for the
jump of" TO tho West coast were
ieal. Scarcely cloud dotted tho
Ky. Roads through Virginia had
uliy recovered from recent rains.
he first leg Of tho long trail TO
nc Pacific lay before them rs smooth
s the original construction.
Make Start Mt Zero stone.
The start was made on the FL
hleh all national highways radiatc
rom tho seat Of government. Last
ear trhnscontinen ntal tour to San
rancisco. over the Lincoln Route,
as begun from this point.
The presence OF Mrs. 4. G. Lund.
s6S Columbia Road. at tho ceremony
the Ell!psc. gave more than a
'uch Of sentiment to the occasion
ne Is daughter Of Senator John
Bankhead, OF Alabama, after whom
,e highway Is named, and to whom
1eakers paid glowing tributes for
s lifelong efforts 10 have the gov
rnment recognize great trans
influential route which would unite
re coast OF the country with the
her. In memory OF her father. she
mt by Lieutenant-colon John
rankin. commander of the convoy.
wreath wh!ch the officer will pre-
mt to the Mayor OF Los Angeles.
Secretary Baker, In his address,
ated the Importance OF a military
ghway, stretching across the con-
nent. which. not only would serve
n means OF communication in time
war. but as means Of develop
g the economic resources OF the
untry in time Of peace and bring
s closer together the people Of a
mmon country.
~
ribed as the most titanic. dcstruc-
ye single struggle in the history of
c world. could not have been won.
declared. had II not been for the
odern highway over which were
ought men and supplies to the be-
iguered forces of France. National
;ity, he said. will be one OF the
eatest results of such a highway as
g Bankhead. material closeness
well as one Of spirit and ideals.
and Major-General w. X. Wright
-essed to the officers and men the
portance of SO conducting them
Ives on the trip as to hold and ce-
,nt the bond of sympathy which
Id them and Americas civilians in
closest cooperation during the
cir respective parts in winning the
'uggle with Germany.
Daniels Makes "SaIty" Talk.
Secretary OF the Navy Daniels was
,ecially happy and salty" in the
dress he made. bidding Godspeed
the departing convoy. lie de-
red the navy had again beaten
(, army to it," in sending a convoy
the East coast. and that the War
rartment even had to borrow naval
minology in designating it's un-
rtakings. The secretary told his
dience that he sometimes is al
'st won over TO the position of
'sc people who believe money ex-
lded for improved highways is
own away since travel in the near
ure will Shift from the earth to
air.
Upon mature reflection. however"
continued II come back to my
ginal strong belief in these roads,
our generation at least will need
I'm and there will always be a lot
old fashioned folks who will pre-
the lower and safer route"
secretary Of Commerce Alexander
d he is in the travcl-by-earth
ss for good. and Is n strong be-
yer in improved highways. not SO
ch for military purposes as for the
pose Of developing the commercial
Of the country.
:omptroller of tho Currency John
.lton Williams compared tho men
the army transport caravan to the
ty-nlners, but declared they would
ct with more general and lasting
cess than those who Joined in tho
d rush to California.
A. Rountree, ,director-general OF
Bankhead National Highway As
tContinued on Third Page.) q