98 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



people ; but let us analyze the figures, or apportion them by States, 

 and what do we find? In Ehode Island, the population is 407 

 to the square mile; in Massachusetts, 348 to the square mile; in 

 Connecticut, 187 to the square mile; in Few Hampshire, 45 to 

 the square mile; in Vermont, 35 to the square mile; and in Maine, 

 23 to the square mile. This does not suggest that we are liable 

 to rub elbows or jostle one another. 



Great lines of commimication should be made between our peo- 

 ple. Every capital in this country should be connected up by a 

 splendid highway, thus making a union of interests. I know of 

 no man who, from a thorough knowledge of the subject, can dis- 

 cuss this great question in its minute details intelligently. Indeed, 

 it was only this year, when I had an opportunity to use an auto- 

 mobile in my work in the State of Connecticut, that I myself be- 

 came familiarly acquainted with the fourteen trunk lines which 

 I have been planning for years to rim through my State. 



In order that I might put myself in close touch with this prop- 

 osition, I communicated with the commissioners of Massachusetts 

 and the other New England States, immediately after Your Ex- 

 cellency had so kindly invited me to be present, and asked them 

 to send me details of the trunk lines they are operating upon. 

 From the replies received I outlined a trunk line system on a 

 map and had it blue-printed, together with some other information 

 gained for the use of this conference. I found that the thought 

 and purpose of the commissioners who have this great work of 

 highway reform placed in their hands had been intelligently di- 

 rected, and a plan carefully thought out to comprehend a splendid 

 system of connected trunk lines throughout New England. 



Here in Massachusetts every important business center has been 

 taken care of. Careful attention has been paid not only to that 

 which makes for the comfort and convenience of the people of 

 Massachusetts, but a system has also been intelligently planned 

 to meet the co-operation of the other commissioners in charge of 

 the work in States surrounding Massachusetts. 



To give you a little idea of what it means to plan a trunk line 

 system intelligently, allow me to give you an illustration of my 

 own State. I have a plan of trunk lines, numbering from one to 

 fourteen. The principal trunk line commences at Portchester, 

 N. Y., and follows the shore line all the way through Connecticut 

 to Westerly, E. I. My longest trunk line is 120 miles. I use that 

 as the basis of operations, following up all of the principal water 

 courses in the State, then crossing the State with several other 



