Good Men Want Good Roads

LêttrrS tt,:e sent out not lon ago from New York by Mr. Isaac B. Potter to sound the prominent men of the conntry on tlie subject of roads improvetnent. Foilowrhg are extracta from a few of the many replies received, and s!i.)v liow gre.at is tho intfrest now feit in tliis iiiii)ort;mt matter 1j represpiitative men: Hon. John M. Tbayer, governor of Nebraska: 1 mi heartily in favor of any movement which wiy lead to the inprovemont of our bighwnys, and hope that your efforts in that direction may meet with snccess. Hon. L. Brudford Prince, governor of New Mexico: I will be glad to co-operate in any tneasnres that may be taken. Hon. James A. Beaver, governor of Pennsylvania: üur bist legislature anthorizeu tlie appointmént of a committee t investígate the subject and report te the next legislature. I hope some practical results will be reached. Our comniission is in the main a good one, and will, I tliink, agree upon soine comraon sense, practical basis for road improvement. Hon. George W. McBride, secretary of the state of Oregon: As good roads are the best evidence of a good state of civilization, bettor roads in our country will be evidence of progresa and improvement which every good citizen should desire. There is no tax which yields snch good resulta for tlie investment as a road tax carefully expended. It is the interest of the country, and especially of the producers whó need cheap transportation, that there should be a general improvement in our methods of uiaking and maintaining public roads. I shall be pleased if I can in any way assist in the good work. Hon. F. P. Fleming, governor of Florida: I am thoroughly in accord with any movement which will improve our public highways and give tho people better roads. I called the attention of tho last legislature especially to this subject in my last message to them, and 1 shall repoat it in my next message. Hon. A. J. Feit, lieutenant governor of Kansas: Shall be only too glad to heartily co-operate for better roads. Kansas is noted for good natural hiyhways, but there ia plenty of room for improvement. Hon. S. E. Herwin, lieutenant governor of Connecticut: Can readily see the cause yon represent is a growing one, and wil deinand more attention in the near future. Hon. Charles E. Laughton, lieutenant governor of Washington: We are a new state, and it will necessarily be a long time beforo we can expect or hope to bring our roads up to the standard of the eastern turnpiked highways, but 1 assure y ou that I wil extend my hearty co-operatiori in any plan to bring about this result. Hon, George L. Shoup, governor of Idaho: I am in hearty accord with your Buggestions in regard to the improvement of highways. Hon. A. A. Lesueur, secretary of state of Missouri: Allow me to express myself aa being in hearty accord with any organized effort for the bettering of the condition of our roads and highways. Hon. W. E. Woodrufl, treasurer of Arkansas: The subject is one in which for a long time I have taken great interest, and may be able to forward in this state in the near future. Hon. T. E. Burton, member of congress from Ohio: You may count upon me for any influence which I may possesa to improve our roadways to a standard more nearly equal to those of Europe and more worthy of our own country. Hon. Charles S. Itiindall, member of congress from Massachusetts: You can count on my carnest co-operation in any way and at íuiy time when I can be of service. Hon. Henry Stockbridge, member of congress from Maryland: I have taken so much interest in the matter of better roads for years aa almost to be considered a crank on the subject. W. B. Roberts, private secretary to Governor Hovey, of Indiana: Governor Hovey directs me to stftte that he cordially indorses all you have to say in behalf of the improvemente of our public highwaya. For some time past he has been collecting data on this subject to present to our next general assem bly with a view of effecting a radical changa in our present road laws. Hon. W. E. Simonds, member of congress from Connecticut: I am greatly interested in the improvement of our roads. Hon. J. W. Covert, member of congress from Long Island: The question of improved roads is now the subject of earnest discussion in the western part of my district (Long Island), and I shall be most glad to have anything that haa been or may be issued by your association bearing upon the subject. I tun most thoroughly in accord with the important work. Hon. Robert M. LaFollette, member of congress from Wisconsin, of the committee on ways and means, Washington: Any movement which looks to the adoption of improved systems of making and repairing our cominon highways must cornmend itself to every citizen of every state. Hon. Seth L. Milliken, member of congress from Maine, chainnan of committee on public buildings and grounds, Washington, D. C. : I am in favor of iinproving all roada in this country. Hon. I. Estabrook, superintendent of public instruction, Michigan: I am in most hearty accord with tho work, and am anxious to see a vigorous movement in our own state. Hon. D. B. Henderson, member of congress from Iowa: Ha ving spent the first twenty-five years of my life in farmIng, and been on the road more or lesa ever since, I think I can appreciate the importance of anything that will bring about a good system of highways. Hon. C. A. Campbell, United States district attorney, Cheyenne, Wyo. : 1 am in full sympathy with the undertaking, and in my own weak way will do all in my power to aid you and your issociation.