CONFERENCE OF 'GOVERNORS. 103 



given location is now very often judged by the opportunities afforded 

 for automobile riding. I am pleased to Imow that the question 

 of improved roads, making communication easy throughout all 

 parts of this region, has been assigned to such competent authority 

 as the Highway Commissioner for Connecticut ; and I am sure that 

 it will be agreed by this conference that whatever else is done to 

 promote the mutual interests of these States, there must be estab- 

 lished a system of interstate highways which will render the most 

 remote districts accessible to tourists. 



In this connection I wish to refer briefly to the educational 

 movement now being carried on by the farmers of the country, 

 through their principal organization, the National Grange, on be- 

 half of the general policy of road improvement by the various 

 township, county and State authorities, and for the enactment by 

 Congress of legislation making appropriations for the construction 

 and maintenance of improved roads. The farmers believe that this 

 is a purpose to which a part of the national revenues, derived from 

 taxes paid largely by them, should properly be devoted; and they 

 insist that the highways of the country are entitled to as much 

 consideration as our waterways. They realize that the financial 

 condition of many of the States will not permit of their making 

 the large appropriations necessary to meet the urgent demand 

 for better roads, and therefore are endeavoring to secure recognition 

 of the principle that Congress should by legislation provide a part 

 of the funds needed for road improvement. 



This is a matter of special interest in connection with the pro- 

 posals for a complete system of trunk lines of highways for these 

 States, since the enactment of the Currier bill, introduced in Con- 

 gress at the request of the National Grange, would provide a fund 

 of $6,000,000 to be used for road improvement, thus lessening the 

 burden on the respective States, and enabling them to construct 

 a greater mileage of improved roads. 



Closely allied to the question of good roads is that of the regu- 

 lations governing the use of the highways by automobiles. The 

 new problems created by the operation of high-powered motor vehi- 

 cles on the public roads have been for some time under consideration 

 by the farmers, who as the principal users of our roads are directly 

 concerned with the preservation of the public's right to the safe 

 use of the highways. The extent to which this right was disre- 

 garded by reckless drivers of automobiles forced the farmers in 

 self-defence to seek legislation fixing the rate of speed of these 

 \'ehicles. The laws enacted for this purpose were originally in- 



