Editorial Praises Col. Kirkpatrick's Work On State Highway Bill, Feb. 9, 1921

We will not wait until the Legislature approves a state highway bill to take off our hat to our fellow-townsman, Col. T.L. Kirkpatrick, whose labors toward the consummation of this effort have been keen and extensive for the past year or more. His name has been appearing in many of the newspapers of the state as linked up with the great development of sentiment for good roads, for furnishing a large amount of the inspiration that has pushed this movement to the fore and for having so materially assisted, finally, in the actual drafting of the bill which will be passed some of these days in Raleigh.

We were reading just recently an editorial notice in The Asheville Citizen to the effect that Colonel Kirkpatrick made the closing speech at the recent conference of the good roads enthusiasts in Raleigh and that in the run of this discourse he hardly gave good roads a bare mention but he went behind the concrete subject to make his appeal, launching his vigorous attack against the slumbering pride of the people in their own state and seeking to arouse their convictions as there capabilities. Thus he has been aiding the caue from one part of the state to another, putting fervor and enthusiasm in the harts of the people, and no cause ever gets very far that is not supported by the sentiments and emotions of the masses.

Colonel Kirkpatrick long will be remembered in North Carolina for the conspicuous part he has played in bringing good roads legislation to the present state and for having so wisely helped to lead the people of this commonwealth up to the beginning of this great constructive achievement. Charlotte ought to be proud that the state so recognizes the worthy Colonel.

From the editorial page of the Charlotte News, Wednesday Afternoon, February 9, 1921. Julian S. Miller, Editor; Jasper C. Hutto, City Editor; and W.C. Dowd Jr., Managing Editor.