118 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



30 miles of this road have been improved, some portions with 

 macadam surface and some with gravel. The routes of trunk liues 

 in New Hampshire conform closely with any routes that might 

 be constructed ia adjoiniag States, hence any legislation in New 

 Hampshire on these liaes would conform closely with that of other 

 States. 



Absolute enforcement of the existing laws in the States regu- 

 lating the speed of automobiles would assist greatly in the preser- 

 vation of the road surfaces, it being now a well-known fact that 

 a machine going at a high rate of speed is far more destructive than 

 when moving at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less. Such absolute 

 enforcement, however, has not been and probably never will be 

 obtained so long as the regulations are of such nature that every 

 operator is practically obliged at times to disobey some regulation 

 imposed, thereby making him careless of all regulations. For the 

 safety of the public and the preservation of the roads, the several 

 States ought to pass uniform laws regulatiag the operation of 

 automobiles, and such laws should be so framed that any operator 

 can at all times obey every clause in the law. A speed of 25 miles 

 per hour on country roads is ample, and at the same time ordinarily 

 safe, and if it could be enforced would go far towards assistiug 

 in the preservation of road surfaces. Such a speed, however, should 

 not be permitted in compact sections of cities or towns; but in- 

 stead of limiting the speed in such portions to such slow rate that 

 it is difficult to operate the machine, it should be limited to a 

 reasonable rate of speed, not exceeding 15 miles per hour. 



Conclusion. 

 Governor Cobb (of Maine). In behalf of the visiting Governors 

 and the delegates to this conference, I have been asked to express 

 to His Excellency Governor Guild and the Commonwealth of 

 Massachusetts something of the appreciation we all feel because of 

 the courtesies we have liad extended to us. Governor Guild has 

 been an ideal host, and his hospitality has been generous, most 

 courteous and absolutely without fault. If any good shall come 

 from these meetings, the credit will belong to him, for it was he 

 who took the initiative. But the old Bay State has always been 

 first in every movement calculated to benefit the people, and if 

 this movement, under the wise leadership of Governor Guild, shall 

 be a success, the Commonwealth is but true to her old traditions. 

 It has therefore been moved and seconded that the thanks of the 



