Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-24
WOMEN MOVE TO DEVELOP
HIGHWAYS IN THE SOUTH
Georgia Commission Of
Bankhead Association Is
Formed at Meeting at Mrs,
Thornton's Home

A distinct step toward the develop
ment of highways in the south was
taken Wednesday afternoon at the
home of Mrs. Albert E. Thornton, Sr.,
when the Georgia commission of the
womens department of the Bankhead
Highway association was organized.
The meeting, which was attended by
many women Of note throughout the
state. was called by Mrs. Thornton,
who is chairman Of the highway as
ISOLATION for Georgia, and also ma
tional chairman of the woman's board
of the Bankhead Highway associa-
ton.
In stating the purpoes Of the gath
ering, Mrs. Thornton described the
roads which she traversed on a re-
cent trip to France, saying that the
thirteen states which are connected
by the Bankhead ighway-from
Washington to San Diego-are almost
as rich in history and tradition as
France itself, and the road should
ments and trees to beautify it.:
This work Of identifying the road
through Georgia must have or
ganized strength, and the commits
sion as organized Wednesday will eX-
ert it's efforts toward that end.
All women in the state are invited
to take part in the work of beautify-
ing Georgia's roads. Particularly,
members of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, the United
Daughters of the Confederacy, the
War Mothers association, the Colo
NAL Danes, the Founders and Pa
triots' association, and the Daughters
oF ictcs fo viii oil "a
Interest of the children will be solic-
tied through the Parent-Teacher as
sociations, so that the younger gen.
Grafton may be taught the nature of
the history and pride of Georgia, and
may beautify the roadways by plant
ing trees and shrubs.
Cooperation of the most hearty
nature was assured the women of
the commission by w. r. Neel, state
highway engineer; J. A. Rountree.
secretary and director general of the
Bankhead Highway commission, and
w. T. Winn, of the Georgia State
Automobile association.
Mr. .Nee1 told of the progress of
the Bankhead highway through the
state of Georgia. More than 80 per
cent of its mileage in this state al
ready has been paved, he said, and
is now being maintained by the state
highway department. He approved
most heartily of the women taking
up the work of identifying the route,
and offered his full help. He urged
that the women join, in an organized
way, to effect needed legislation, and
TO keep the roadWays out of poll
tics''
Mr.. Rountree gave a most inter.
esting account of the inception of
the Bankhead highway system, and
of it's enormous enlargement when
it's possibilities became known.
tn1 he IF cr
a road from Memphis to Atlanta,
by way of Birmingham he said,
the Bankhead highway has expand
ed until its route now extends from
Washington, D: c., to San Diego, Cal,
a distance of 1000 miles. Plans
are now under way to connect a
branch to Mexico City, and the Mex
lean government has appropriated
s40,000,000 to proceed with the work.
This will add 1900 miles to the
length of the highway. During the
war the highway was recognized as
the most valuable traffic artery in
the country for the movement and
liaison of troops.
Georgia, with it's ESQ miles of the
highway, has more nearly completed
er state, although Texas, with 1880
r1iles, is sper ding $27,000,000 Of state
funds, federal funds and county bonds
on the work. The highway is ready
TO be taken over by the women for
identifying, and we give you our full
support in this work"
Mr.. Winn said the worl; was a
splendid one and would have every
cooperation from the automobile as
ISOLATION.
Mrs. Thornton announced the ap-
pointment of Mrs. William L. Percy,
Of Atlanta, as secretary for the Wom-
ems commission; Mrs. Doughty
Manley as chairman for Fulton
county; Mrs. H. G. Hastings, chair
man for DeKalb; Mrs. w. &. Price
Smith, secretary for the Georgia
commission. Other appointments
will be announced later.
Among the women present were
Mrs. j. E. Hays. Mrs. Enoch Gala
way, of LaGrange; Mrs. w. c
Clark, of Covington; Mrs. Frank Nc
Cormack, president of the Atlanta
Parent-Teacher council; Mrs. John
K. Ottley, Miss Alice Baxter, Mrs
John M. Slaton, Mrs. John A. Per
due, Mrs. H. G. Hastings, Mrs. w
L. Peel. Mrs. H. H. Mccall, Mrs. w
B. Price-Smith, Mrs. w. L. Percy
Mrs. Lollie Belle Wylie, Mrs. Ernest
Kontz and others.