Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-19

What Bad Roads Cost.
what Bad Roads are Costing US.
was the subject OF an admirable paper
OF Mr. Clarence Coleman, civil engineer
After dealing In 4 general way Win tnc
railroads and highways OF this and other
countries, setting forth that In the United
States there were 170.6N miles OF rail-
roads. representing In capital and funded
debt &c., .0i2. and asserting the great
inheritance 10 commercial prosperity OF
good highways. Mr. Coleman spoke OF
France as the country having the most
complete and perfect system OF nigh
ways In the world.
1.-THE State OF Virginia" he said, COM
prises an area OF i0l3 square miles,
and has a population OF I,s55.sS people.
or Az inhabitants for each square mile.
France. with an area of 204Oo square
miles. and population OF 3s.l2o,S9o. has
1858 inhabitants per square mile VIZ
ginia has total railroad mileage or
1859: France, 2i.Ols. When
We consider that France is ac-
credited with 10000 miles OF Macadam.
or stone highways. as compared 10 bs
miles for Virginia. we can appreciate
the facilities OF transportation possessed
in that country outside OF its railroads.
49, The French nation has certainly
given the world assurance OF what can
be done in the construction ana main
tenance OF highways. and the thritt ana
prosperity of those people stand an ever
lasting monument TO their efforts IN mat
direction"
MIR. Coleman said he was aware that
there was opposition in the state 10 any
plan for the Improvement OF her roads
that carried with II an increase or TAXA
ton He said the average American pre-
ferred TO take his taxes as he did his
medicine disguised with aromatic es-
sences. sweets and tlnctures.
EXTENDING a LARGE SUM.
He referred TO the fact that the people
of Virginia pleaded poverty and inability
10 raise money for the betterfnen's or
roads. and had at the same time been
annually expanding an amount in money
or labor. which. under shlful and trained
direction. would have placed the common
roads of the State upon "A plane where at
least they would not have been re-
proach TO our civilization. From what
he could learn. the State spent In the
year 1893 5000 90 upon her roads. and that
a very small portion Of this was used in
the construction Of permanent high
ways. The roads were no better than me
year before, and year after year this
patch work goes on with few permanent
results.
As an illustration the speaker assumed
that during the past twenty years 100000
a year had been spent on permanent i'm
TrOvcments. and that the average cost OF
this work had been 81 go per mile. Had
such been tho case. the State would now
have had 1890 miles OF permanent road,
or q miles to each county IN the State.
CHARGEABLE TO BAD BOARDS
"The assessed value Of land in Virginia
for the year 1893 amounted to 1925 10000"
said Mr.. Coleman. Now. II Is certainly
b l..
would he increased by not less than -
Per cent. with a good system OF roads,
which would give an increase IN value
OF &I,e0.rn. interest on which. at per
cent. amounts to Si.523.c0 Now that
amount of interest represents the incre-
ment Of a value which We should possess
under the desired conditions, and IT,
therefore. annual charge against the state
on account OF bal roads,"
Mr.. Coleman went then into n detailed
statement OF the weights possible 10 be
hauled over good roads. and those which
are hauled over bad roads. showing where
in improved highways would rebound 20
the greatest financial benefits Of farmers.
wherever they prevailed and demonstra-
ting clearly the bad use 10 which Virginia
has been putting the large sums she has
been evpcndns upon hor common roads
4 NEW JERSEY SYSTEM.
General stone arose to speak Dlfry
upon this topic. lie simply clil2d ire
attention Of the body to the condi'lI1 Il
affairs IN Morris county. -. j.,
freeholders. and IN that county and
the township per cent. bonds,
ten ana forty years, 10 the amount
Of $500 were issued. and splendid high
ways had been constructed. The people
dll not expect that the issuance Of these
bonds would increase the rate Of TAXA
ton one cent. rs the incoming capital
would more than pay the difference in
taxation The cost Of repairs to these
good roads was much less than that OF
the oh dirt-r0ais. The speaker sail that
h. went up 10 inspect these roads during
Il January thaw. He found the farmers
there hauling two tons OF hay on a mar
row-tired wagon. ana saving 3 10 8 per
day over their neishbors who didn't
have the advantage % these good roads.
The value Of Morris county lands was also
increased % per cent.
Professor Randolph took up the dis
cussion. he spoke of piece OF road he
tween Martinsburg and Biacksburg, over
which ten teams pass 4 day. BY a good
road each Of the owners of these teams
would save 81 a day. which would be $40
q day. which saving would in seven
years blillQ 4 llIri-'liSS lutth4din IyA'A
over th.se seven miles.
Or Ray called tho attention OF the body
t. the good roads and high prices Of
lands in the Eastern shore and in the
Valley Of Virginia and the low prices
of lands and o. roads ~ other sections
Of III. state. Others discussing the sub
iae, were Judge Gra'tan. John T. Eyrd.
Of Highland: Mr.. holland. OF Hanover;
Julie Chalkley. Of Augusta; Mr.. Murrlll,
OF Bedford. AMI H.. II. Harris, OF Gooch-
land.
COMMITTEES NAMED.
The Chair announced the following COM
mitt.cs: -.
ON organization ana Legislation-H. W.
Anderson. OF Roanoke; II. v. Wood OF
Richmond. .. g. Browne. OF Accomac'
Judge Lyman Chalkley. Of Augusta; y.
q. Willis. of Culpcper.
ON E-solu;ions-juigc Charles Grattan'
Of stanton. Major J. F. Byrd, 81 hlgh-
land: james T. Clements. Of Alexandra;
\. Y. Preston. Of Botetourt. and Dr. ).
: Apperson. of Smyth county.
ON Ffnance-ProfessOr Randolph. OF
Rlacksburg: n. :. Ghiis OF KoanoEe'
Charles r Lassi:er Of Petersburg; {. T.
Ashburncr. IT. OF Henrico; Judge Johh
Dew, Of King and queen county.
ON motion Of Mr.. Anderson. the con-
yeutlOn then took recess uutI C'o'A'