AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION RIGGS BUILDING WASHINGTON,D.G. May Fourth 19 17 Mr. F. R. So Phillips, Convention Secy., Old Spanish Trail Association, Tallahassee, Fla. My dear air:- We thank you for the invitation in connection with the Old Spanish Trail Convention in Tallahassee, and we v;ould that it were possible to have a representative present. ^ At this moment our work is particularly urgent because of the unusual war conditions and the fact that we are trying in one way and another to be helpful.in the premises. We are taking the opportunity to call attention to the necessity of considering the military value of highways generally / and particularly in reference to a marginal road which will be located near the coast lines. It would seem to have much interest to your assoeia-I tion, for in the bill which is being drafted there will beo<-I call for an Atlantic highway, one covering the states border-\ ing on the Gulf of Mexico, and also one on the Pacific Coast. We might suggest that you accentuate in the meeting the military use to which the Old Spanish Trail might be put in making an adequate and comprehensivevof our country./' defense Trusting that the convention will prove a great success, we would also assure you of our cooperation in any v/ay at any time. AGB/EW Very truly yours, Execut i ve Chairman. PRESIDENT DR. H M. ROWE. MARYLAND VICE-PRESIDENTS P. J WALKE R . CALIFORNIA H J CLARK, MINNESOTA PRESTON BLLVIN. VIRGINIA DAVID JAMESON. PENNSYLVANIA C. C. JANES, OHIO FRANK S.FISHBACK, INDIANA CHAIRMEN OF BOARDS Executive A . G. BATCHELDER LEGISLATIVE’ OSBORNE I YELLOTT COMTCOT RICHARO kcnnerdell PAST PRESIDENTS ROBERT P HOOPER LEWIS R SPEARE WM . H . HOTCHKISS HARLAN W WHIPPLE TREASURER. H. A BONNELL,NEWJERSEY