The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-18
Mrs. R0untree's Western Trip

80 many delightful phases of life in tho golden west present them selves to tho traveller that each one brings back new story from a new viewpoint and none iP more interest ins than that which Mrs. J. A. Roun- tree, one of Birmingham,s most charming and cultured matrons, re- lates Of her three months visit in that wonderful section of America.
 Mrs. Rountree not only had de- liEhtful experiences IS "stght-seer," hut she was the toast" of all those With whom she came in contact, her beauty and her charming personality making her the center of attraction wherever she visited and with her husband. Director General Rountree of the United States Good Roads as- sociation and the Bankhead Highway association she had the entree to many unusual and exclusive affairs.
 T have had such an unusual trip to the west this time. differing In all sorts of ways from the many times l have been there before," said Mrs. Rountrce, in chatting yesterday about her recent return from Arizona. where MT. Rountree was conducting temporary headquarters of the United States Good Roads association and Bankhead National Highway assocla- ton. which held such wonderfully successful meetings at Phoenix on April "A to s2s.
 We were in Phoenix most of the time. and l learned to love its clear skies and starlit nights. It's big sur rounding mountains-rose-co .n the mornings, purple blue at eventide and to enjoy it's life giving atmos- phere with all the fervor and en- thusiasm of native-born; but best of all I loved its people. They are so whole-hearted, so cordial. BIO un- selfishly thoughtful of a newcomer. There is nothing quite like the Ari- zona handshake.
 ''In fact, there is nothing, that I have ever experienced. quite like Arl- zona, where neighbors, living 75 ur 100 miles away, are real neighbors, running over after breakfast to spend the day, and returning home in time for dinner in the evening. Sounds rather far-fetched, doesn't 1t But that is exactly what they do. I know, for I did 1t myself, several times.
 Socially. l had most delightful time; my first introduction was by the governors wife. Mrs. Thomas E. Campbell (whom I had known Tn
 
 bert Hoovers were in Phoenix on their official visit. Mrs. Hoover Is, g every one knows, quite as attractive as her husband, and an equally bril- liant speaker. l was especially im- pressed by her remark that, during the World war, she served principal ly as an experiment station'-all of her husbands accommodations and rules of food control having first
 
 home. For instance she said, I was limited to my two pounds of sugar weeks before you ever heard about yours Somehow I had never associated those regulation and de- auctions with anything quite so per- sonal. The west, right now, is most ly concerned with what Mir. Hoover is going to do for them in connection with the Colorado river control, which means so much for their desert area.
 At Scottsdale, near Paradise val ley. is the winter home of former Vice President and Mrs. Thomas R. Marshall and We very happily saw good deal of them, and weyo en- tertained by them before they left for their European trip, sailing May i. It Is good to meet old friends, especially in a far away land, but then 1t is always good to meet the Marshalls, they are so enjoyable and so sincere in their friendships.
 Locally, I met many unusually delightful people, for Phoenix, being the capitol city. and also the starting point for that marvellous trip or sightseeing wonders--the Roosevelt dam, via the Apache trail. is the gathering place of all Arizonians, and the Mecca of all tourists. There are so many places to go, so much to be seen, that one never grows tired, and there is no monotony.
 T was the scarcely three months. and by the time the United States