102 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



AUTOMOBILES AND THEIR REGULATION. 



By Hon. Nahum J. Bachelder, Ex-Goveenob of New Hampshire. 



It is peculiarly appropriate that this conference of New Eng- 

 land Governors, called to consider matters of legislation affecting 

 all these States, should discuss the kindred questions of the con- 

 struction and maintenance of State highways, and the regulation 

 of automobiles. The territory within the six States includes what 

 may be properly termed "the recreation ground of America," as 

 it is the section of the country that will more and more become 

 the summer residence of hundred of thousands of the people of 

 our great cities. I need hardly refer to the manifold attractions 

 which combine to make these States in their several ways the most 

 desirable summer resort on the continent. From the hill farms 

 and water-side villages at the western end of Long Island Sound, 

 to the mountains of New Hampshire and the isle-dotted coast of 

 Maine, there is hardly a square mile of country side which does 

 not invite the dwellers in the hot and noisy cities to come and 

 make their summer homes in this region of cool, pure mountain air 

 or ocean breezes. 



With the increasing growth of population in our cities the num- 

 ber of those seeking country homes is steadily growing; and it 

 is therefore important that, if we wish to have these people come 

 to our States, we should make conditions as pleasant and attractive 

 as possible. It must be remembered that there are many other 

 sections of the country eagerly bidding for the summer resident, 

 who will naturally choose the place that offers the greatest attrac- 

 tions. W^iile our natural advantages are unequalled, there are 

 other considerations which affect the choice of a recreation ground, 

 and among the most important of these is the nature and condition 

 of the highways, and their use for pleasure travel by motor vehi- 

 cles. The introduction and general use of the automobile have been 

 the means of inducing a great many persons to visit sections of 

 the country formerly unknown to them, and the desirability of a 



