The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-06-21
SENATOR 0DD|E' s
SPEECH At ZERO
MILESTONE MEET

The following speech was de-
livered by United States Senator
Tasker L. Oddie Of Nevada on Mon
day, June a, on the occasion Of
the dedication of the Zero Milestone
in Washington, D. c.:
"This year is the hundredth an
niversary of the discovery Of the
Gilt Pillar erected by Augustus
Caesar in the Forum of Rone-the
milestone from which started the
great system Of wonderful and sub
stantially built highways that led
from Rome throughout the great
empire. Today we are dedicating
this Zero Milestone in the capital
of our great country, the starting
point of our national highway sys-
tenn which carries enlightenment,
progress, industry and prosperity
to all parts Of our broad land.
"When the Roman empire was at
the heighth Of its glory and power,
road building was held in such high
esteem that the title Of 'overseer
and highways surveyor was con-
ferred on Augustus Caesar. This
mighty emperor considered it highly
honorable to accept an office of
such dignity and importance. He
appointed some Of the ablest and
best men in the empire to assist
him in carrying on this great work.
Today our illustrious president, who
has honored US with his presence
here, and other high and able Off
cials Of our government, also appreci-
ate the dignity and importance of
road building and are rendering
notable service in the enlargement
of our national highway system.
SIN ancient Rome the need for a
more extensive system Of good roads
exceeded the governments ability to
construct them, Notwithstanding the
enormous and magnificent road
building it was doing, so julius
Caesar and other leading men Of
his time contributed literally from
their private funds to an enlarged
road building program.
"Today we find ourselves in the
same conditions Rome was in dur
ing Caesars time in this respect,
SO numbers Of public spirited citi-
zens of our country are contributing
literally from their private funds
to an enlargement and betterment
Of our national highway system.
"Julius Caesar first inaugurated a
system of road maps and informa-
ton for travellers. Today that
powerful, progressive and useful or
ganization which has done more for
the cause of good roads and the
advancement of motor vehicle trans
portation in our country than any
other agency, the American Auto
mobile Association, which have the
honor to repre- sent here today, has
advanced and Perfected the system
Of road maps and travellers guides
to a marked degree.
LET this ceremony proclaim the
birth Of a new national highway
spirit, and may this inspire US as a
nation to enlarge and extend our
present federal aid road program to
meet our constantly increasing traf-
fic requirements which the rapid
economic and social development OF
our country demands. We need ad.
ditional legislation providing fol
federal maintenance Of roads on un.
appropriated government lands and
reserves.
mo more urgent demand faces Vi
today than the building and main.
tanning Of an adequate system Of
national highways which we now
lack. It will enlarge our economic
activities and prosperity to an ex.
tent almost beyond calculations
What finer and more useful monu-
ment can man build than good
roads-the best evidence Of civil.
zation in any age. Let this new
national highway spirit reach every
corner Of our broad land. The re-
suit will exceed our fondest hopes.