OFFICE OF PUBLIC KOAD INQUIRIES. 245 



The Director is almost daily in receipt of requests similar to the 

 following, which was made by a correspondent from Florida. He 

 urges the Director to attend the annual convention of the Good-Roads 

 Association of Florida, and adds: 



I believe that an efficient stereopticon lecture, giving a bird's-eye view of the 

 most important public roads of the world, would not only be instructive, but 

 would give a new impetus to good roads throughout this State. I most respect- 

 fully request you to send such a lecturer to be with us the nights of the 20th and 

 21st of February next in Jacksonville for the benefit of the members of onr con- 

 vention and the public generally. 



Senator Shoup, of Idaho, refers a letter to this Office, indorsed as 

 follows: "With the earnest recommendation that the Department 

 lend such assistance as is possible to the citizens in the vicinity of 

 Genesee, Idaho, in improving the roads in that locality." The Sena- 

 tor's correspondent writes as follows: 



The roads in southern Latah County are much the worst in the State and the 

 roads in the vicinity of Genesee are worse than in any other part of this county. 

 Our people are stirred up over the matter and propose to do something to better 

 the roads, and would like the assistance of* the Government Road Division. If you 

 can help us to secure the advice and assistance of the Road Bureau you will confer 

 a favor on the entire community and place us under great obligations to you. 



The Citizens' Association of Ludington, Mich., makes the following 

 petition : 



We are now about to spend a large sum on macadam roaa work. We stand in 

 need of some instruction: not only the council, but citizens generally need to 

 understand the subject. It is new here. Can Mr. Harrison, or some other expert, 

 come here; if so, at what expense to us? The sooner the better, of course, as we 

 are now at work. 



Congressman Pearre, of Cumberland, Md., writes: 



I was talking to you some time ago about building a sanr ! road in Allegany 

 County, Md. Will you be able shortly to construct a half-m .e sample road in 

 Allegany County for me? I have authority from the county commissioners to 

 proceed with the matter, with the understanding that they will pay such share of 

 the expenses as is usual in such cases. 1 am anxious to have this done as soon as 

 possible. 



Captain Shaw, of the United States Navy, in a letter on file in this 

 Office, says: 



Realizing the great advantage to the cause of good roads from the construction 

 of sample roads under the direction of the Road Inquiries Office, I respectfully 

 suggest that such a road be built from Charlottesville, Va., to Monticello, the 

 grave of Jefferson, a distance of about 2 miles. 



This location is peculiarly adapted to the purpose, first, because that grave is 

 visited yearly by a great number of people from every part of the country, mak- 

 ing a road thereto a National rather than a local object lesson; and. second, 

 because Charlottesville is an educational center lor the South, having some 700 

 students from its various States. 



The number of persons visiting such a road would naturally be largely increas d 

 by the fact that Charlottesville is the point of unction of the two great railroad 

 systems— the Southern and the Cheasapeake and Ohio. 



If, in view of the foregoing, it should be decided to build such a road, I respect- 

 fully request information as to what aid would be «iven by the Department in 

 regard to inspection of material, technical supervision, etc. 



The following letter has been received from Marshalltown, Iowa. 



I understand you are doing some experimental road work in the different Htates. 

 If this is the case, we are very desirous to have you aid us with one of your e peri- 

 ments. We are much in need of a better .system of roads leading out of ^ arshall- 

 tovvn into the country. We have ideal experimental ground, taking in many 

 different phases of road work in a very short distance, such as drainage, bottom 

 lowland, and hill work. 



