The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-06
LASSITER-W lTHERS
ROAD BILL REPORTED
Comprehensive System
for Permanent Improvement
of Roads.

After a lengthy session held yester-
day morning the Senate Committee on
Roads and Internal Navigation favorably
reported with certain amendments the
Lassiter-Withers road system endorsing
the plan for State aid under the drec-
ton of a Highway Commission and the
creation OF State convict road force for
use in every section OF Virginia in Inn
proving and constructing public high
ways
Upon the question OF State aid the
committee was practically unanimous.
The Lynn bill for the employment OF pris-
oners confined IN the jails of the coun-
ties and towns of the State upon the
roads within those particular counties
and towns at their own expense was
rejected The Davis Boot and Shoe Com
pany. which holds contract which ex-
pires in 1913 giving 1t the preferential
right for the employment of the peni-
Tertiary convicts at fixed wage scale
payable to the State, made sharp fight
over the LassiterWithers hill authoriz-
ing courts when punishment for felony
Is fixed at confinement in the peniten-
tary for a term not to exceed ten years,
to sentence the prisoner instead to hard
labor on tho public roads for an equal
time. AS a compromise the bill was
amended SO as to permit such use Of
only prisoners sentenced for two years
and under instead OF ten. The bill ap-
propriating $4,000 for the maintenance of
the State convict road force for two
years was amended in some minor par
ticulars Instead of the appropriation
proposed an annual appropriation OF s25,-
0O was substituted.
Helps the Counties.
The Lassiter-W ithers road system.
which has attracted widespread and fa-
vora0ble notice throughout the State, and
which will in all likelihood furnish the
basis for the road legislation by the
present General Assembly. is the product
of the Joint efforts of Senator Lasslter,
of Petersburg. and Delegate Withers,
OF Nansemond II is covered in a series
of four bills. one of which was reported
favorabIy in the Senate some time ago
and the other three Of which were passed
upon yesterday.
The system proposed Is simple in opera
ton and very moderate as to expenditure
demanded II is built up entirely around
the principle OF State aid. furnishing AT
once assistance and encouragement to
counties and towns and intelligent ana
expert direction of the money they spend
on the roads, now only too often wasted.
At the same time It gives employment
to Jail and penitentiary convicts. which
the State now pays large sum to sup
port. The penitsntiary convicts employed
by the Davis Boot and Shoe Company
now support themselves. but after all
things are tahen into account, allowing
fair rental for the plant. the Stat0
It Is claimed. merely comes out even,
with no net revenue from this work. BY
building up parallel system. as 1t were,
and while improving the roads, thus also
| creating an additional means Of employ
| ment for prisoners. the State will he In
position when the present Davis contract
expires to demand and get more for the
convict labor. with the alternative Of
placing the entire force upon the roads
where the returns In actual values will
be. If anything, much greater. =
Highway Commission.
Under the terms of the bills. as renorted
| from the Committee on State Highway
Commission, which will have Its head
quarters In Richmond, Is created to be
composed az a commissioner. who will
be a civil engineer and a man we'll
versed in road-building, and the pro-
| fessors of engineering of the University
OF Virginia. the Virginia Military Insti-
tute and the Virginia Agricultural and
Mechanical College and Polytechnic In
stitute.
The term OF the commissioner will be
nix years at S4,VtO, per uHHuln and eX-
panses. He will have an assistant al
5000 n year and clerk at $500 a year
Four thousand dollars la allowed TO,
office fixtures and contingent expenses
AZ heretofore stated an annual nppro
| priauon of $4,000 Is made for the main.
tenance of the State convict road force
the composition OF which is set forth 1,
| three separate hills. All prisoners con
| victed OF crime, and sentenced either II
bar dlabor upon the public roads or t.
imprtHonment in Jail. and MI person,
| imprisoned in jail for the non-paymen
Of a fine or costs WILL when delivered
upon the order Of The superintendent
of the penItentiary for the purpose, con
st,utes this State convict road force
| Thorough proylaion ~ made for TIN