The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1921-02-12

Interview by Harold B. Ayres, Di
rector General, Giving Much In
formation Concerning Sub
ject.-Suceess of Old Span
ish Trail Depends Upon
Support Extended 1t.

building between Florida and Cali
fornia, for the reason that it will
connect this section with New Or
cans. 1t is for that reason we are
particularly interested and take the
active interest we do in the work.
The convention held at Gulfport
recently was a success inasmuch that
it laid out the plans for the much
immediate work and was an occas-
ion where there was displayed an en-
thusiasm and interest that was Of
big calibre. Following on the heels
of the convention, Harold B. Ayres,
director general of the Old Spanish
Trail Association, and who visited
Bay St. Louis while on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast, gave out the following
interview, worthy of a perusal for
the reason it gives much information
our people wish and ought to know
concerning the project:
Easily the biggest thing done" !"
Mr.. Ayres said, was the redivision-
ing of the Highway to bring the ad-
mlnistration closer to the people.
The people want the highway COM
pleted and we must organize SO they
can get together easily and create the
force to put things over. Florida
will be divided into several divisions.
NJ. G.. Hoffman, one of the delegates
appointed by Governor Hardee, will
confer with other Florida leaders and
| will go to Florida before | go back
to Texas. Alabama is a separate di-
vision with Senator John Craft, the
father of good roads in Alabama. as
vice president. The Mississippi Gulf
Coast was made a separate division
on the plea of the Mississippians for
a separate entity that they might
work out their problems. | am per-
suaded the Mississippians were right
This Gulf Coast can be made ma
tional asset if you develop your re-
markable attractions along this Gulf.
III. S. Weston, of Logtown, and a
road worker for lifetime, was made
vice president.
"The Louisiana Division has form
er Mayor Martin Behrman, of New
Orleans for vicc-president. NJ. Behr-
man is intensely interested in get
ting this road completed across
louisiana. The Houston Division has
Mayor w. E. Lee, Orange Texas. for
vice president. Mayor Lea was easily
one of the favorites of the conven-
tion. West Texas, the San Antonio
Division, has Walter Sshreiner, of
Kerrville, Texs, again as vice-presl-
dent. Walter Schreiner and his
brothers are doing tremendous
shings for the Highway in the hills
IF West Texas, The Ell Paso and
New Mexico division like the Florida
Divisions was left for further confer
ence before electing the vice-presi-
dent and directors. The Arizona-C Cal
ifornia division has A. Fl. Gardner
for vice-president again. Mr.. Gardner
is tireless worker for the trail in
Arizona where big constructions is
progressing. The counties across Arl-
szona have voted over $12,000,OO0
for construction. Federal aid, quite
generally dollar for dollar, is added
30 this.
"These divisions will gather in con-
vention hereafter under their own
yire- presidents, assisted by the direc-
tors and councillors residing in the
division, and thus work out their
problems. Our field secretaries will
keep all work alive, and will be at
the command of the vice-presidents.
I'VE want action. We have dreamed
Bong enough. We must concentrate
and put one real organization behind
this Highway. Communities have
scattered their effort heretofore
among various highway propositions
and then got nowhere. We in Texas
1yot nowhere when we tried to sup
ort several highways. What we want
s one highway sensible connected
and completed. Neither state nor
Federal governments can give enough
money for so many highways.
Did you not pass a resolution on
his subject, Mr.. Ayres was asked.
F'Yes," he said, "and went through
unanimously and with fervor. We
are probably the only highway in the
United States strong enough to say TO
8other highway efforts, keep OFF. This
is not selfishness. Two or three high
way associations cannot administer
the same highway through any par
ticular section. One strong organi-
Eatio, can get results. Moreover,
there is no reason why every COM
munity should be called upon to sup
port several offices and stats. Only
: ten per cent of the so-called National
Highway organizations in the United
States are giving results, and all the
real highway projects are uncom'
pleted and at astand still in swamp.
land difficult spots because there is
mot enough federal aid. If people
will remember that if we get $25,
GOO, 900 of federal aid n1921 it may
Zoe all we get, and that this divided
among 48 states will average $500,
1000 to a state. We have rivers ane
swamplands along the Old Spanish
Trail where 100000 is needed fol
one project alone. Until these place!
are completed there can be no cleal
! travelling transcontinental highway
Let us concentrate our money on th'
essential highways and get then
completed. To do this we must built
bur membership into force to &c
aid to needy sections. We have learn
ed over in Texas to get behind on
Z effort, not half dozen. We will b.
fortunate to get one highway acros
that big, primitive state. Most Q
these newer projects cannot be bull