EXPLANATION
The following is reprinted as one of the best complete accounts of the big meeting at Mobile in the interest of bridging Mobile's eight-mile bay. a vital link in the Old Spanish Trail.
As a first step Alabama’s highway commission was induced by the Automobile Club to meet in Mobile. Then the Old Spanish Trail proclaimed the Gulf Boulevard idea for the Pensacola— New Orleans section, and organized the Four-State Conference embracing the territory between Tallahassee and New Orleans, as a support to the people of Mobile and to emphasize the interstate and national importance oT the Old Spanish Trail, therefore of the bridge.
That combined meeting, which lasted three days, March 20.
21.	22, is already written in history as a classic in organization, teamwork and results. Every organization in Mobile was detailed to duty and performed its part. The Old Spanish Trail officials reached everywhere for data and material to arm the Mobile leaders. Editorial comment and widespread results have been noted generally in all directions. Visitors to the Meet included highway commissioners of neighboring states, state and city engineers,
U.	S. engineers, county boards, city officers, officials and delegates from chambers of commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, automobile and young men’s clubs, and numerous interests, all ready to assure activity on a great constructional program if Mobile Bay could be bridged.
Men and women are still thrilled by the memories of the earnestness of those gatherings and of the unanimity with which the whole bridge, boulevard and highway program was accepted.
The work broke a deadlock which has existed for generations in the section from Pensacola to New Orleans, a distance of only 200 miles, but embracing orphan portions of four states and involving 26 miles of waterways and drainage basins needing bridges and viaducts. It requires usually two night stop-overs to make the distance. Now these people are welded together on a program they all accept—the Gulf Boulevard will be the fruit. It will close the gap between the East and the West on the Old Spanish Trail and create a Gulf coast playground of national popularity. The problems ahead are not overlooked, but accepted and the people are now back home and at work on them.