The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-05
FAVOR STATE AID
FOR HIGHWAYS \ !
State I. p. A. Will Urge
a Bill Before the
Legislature.
SIX HUNDRED
ROGUES IDLE
The State Pays for Food and
Clothes of the Criminals,
Who Live in Jails in Idle
Sheriffs Will
Lobby Against
Change.

SIX hundred ablebodied men loafng
In the tails Of the state, at the expense
OF the Commonwealth and to the pront
OF the sheriffs and serseants, was the
picture held UP by Major e. F. Nor
gan. Superintendent OF the State PEN
ftentiary, at the meeting OF the board
OF directors of the Virginia Division OF
the Travellers Protective Association
last night. The occasion was discus
sion before the State organization OF
the Travellers Protective Association OF
the best methods for improving the
roads OF the State, the use OF convict
labor and the encouragement OF noth
county and State assistance. The meet
ing took special turn toward the pas
sage OF several bills by the incoming
Legislature carrying out some Of the
Ideas proposed in the discussion. the
support Of the State Travellers, Protec-
tive Association being pledged. State
Highway Commissions Wilson, Mr.. w.
n. Ruffin, OF Danville, and Major E, +.
Morgan were the Principal speakers.
and In an Informal debate, in which
many OF the members OF the board took
part, a large amount OF information
was brought out relative TO the good
roads campaign, showing what had been
accomplished and what was proposed
for the coming year.
The good roads committee of the
state Travellers Protective Association.
under the leadership OF Chairman T..
r. Barksdale. OF Portsmouth. had pre-
pared for the meeting by sending out
into every county OF the State large
number Of blanks, several hundred of
which had been returned. giving the
sentiment in different sections.
Conditions Bad
1t Is almost unanimously reported
that the roads of Virginia were bad,
unusually bad, worse, In fact, than
those OF surrounding States of similar
characteristics An interesting COM
partsoH was made from the showing
that on the average road one could
travel from six to eight miles per
seldom over three miles in winter, tho
loss OF time alone being shown to be
an item which. II reduced to figures,
would greatly exceed what was pro-
posed to be spent In road improvement
Convict labor was generally approved,
and there was an almost unanimous
vote to change the existing law max
ing it mandatory on judges to sen
tence certain classes Of prisoners to
| work on the roads instead of to terms
| OF idleness In jails.
The situation was admirably summed
up by a Lynchburg gentleman, who
| wrote: The abominable roads Of
Virginia keep many good Northern and
| Western farmers from coming into
Virginia. In Virginia 1000 pounds is
a two horse wagon load.
In the West and North 5000 pounds
! is two-horse load. and two miles is
Travelled to one in Virginia. Improved
roads mean Improved farms, better
4 <,, increaSe0
value Of farms and Increased wealth
consequently Increased value Of tax
| alton.
Proposed Lcgislntion.
Broad tires were recommended by a
system Of taxation Of narrow tree
wagons Of heavy draught, and also
/ State supervision to see that money
I of counties was not foolishly expended
in temporary improvements.
A letter was read from Governor
/ c.. A. Swanson, regretting his inability
to be present, stating that his message
to the Legislature would contain
recommendations for large extension o.
State road improvement.
Hon. Robert W. Wlthsers sent cople.
i of two proposed bills, which he vii
| introduce in the legislature shortly
the first appropriating $50,ooo, will
which the Sta te Is to buy steam roller!
and sprinklers, to be used by tho con
i vict road force, and the other appro
priatlng 100000, with which to &C
\ auire quarries, in which convcts arr
to work and make road material to b'
furnished to the counties free.
The general appropriation bill, sale
Mr.. Withers, is also to contain items
(Continued on Second Page.)
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