Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-09-17

county an object lesson, enabling 1t to
see the advantages accruing from kthe
construction of good roads. Expert
ence has shown that wherever an OBJ
ject lesson of even few miles of good
road has been constructed it has been
followed Immediately by the construc-
ton Of many additional miles and
great increase of interest in good high
ways.
'sUnder the operation of these laws
130 miles of permanent road have been
constructed within the State; 1913 miles
more are under contract and in process
of construction. The roads constructed
and those contracted for are of the best
modern type. Arrangements have
been made to begin at an early date the
construction of 1876 miles more, located
in twenty. six different.ceunties. Thus
in very short time, under the opera
ton of these laws, Virginia will have
constructed 459 miles of permanent
roads.
SURVEYS HAVE BEEN MADE
aSurveys have been made for al
miles more, which will soon be let to
contract. Applications are pending be-
fore the highway commission for l3s
miles to be surveyed for the purpose OF
construction. Thus in the near future
Virginia will have under contract and
in process of construction about 73S
miles of permanent roads.
SIN addition to this, in nearly every
county and section of the State there is
manifested an intenseiinterest in public
roads. The citizens and local author
tiles are uniting to greatly increase the
present amount of road improvement.
Each day witnesses great acceleraticn
of the movement-more interest, more
appropriation of money.
SIN addition to this the highway
commission has prepared plans for
many splendid iron bridges in twenty
six counties, the majority of which
have been completed or are now under
construction under this State aid.
"The plan of road improvement and
betterment in Virginia by the joint aid
of State and local authorities has been
productive of most beneficial results,
and am sure will be further extended
by the next general assembly.
MAY USE MONEY TO PAY INTEREST.
1.-THE law provided that the money
apportioned to each county can be used
in payment of interest on bonds or fol
the retirement of the principal OF the
bonds issued for road betterment OF
construction, if so desired by the coun-
ties. Under this provision county is
enabled to issue bonds and then use the
funds furnished by the State to pay the
interest on the bonds or as sinking
fund for the retirement of the bonds
when due, State paying half the inter
est and half the sinking fund. Under
the operation of this law 1869, 900 OF
bonds have been issued, and when dis
posed of will greatly increase the
amount of road construction.
srrhe issue of bonds under this law
would have been much larger but for
some doubt as to the legality Of certain
provisions of the law governing bond
issues in connection with the require
ments of voters. This can be easily
corrected at the next session of the gen.
eral assembly, and this provision of the
law will doubtless be availed of by
many counties.
'sThe fight for good roads in Virgidia
has been won if the present earnest
work and interest are constituted, and
neither the State nor local authorities
will be SO unwise as to venture in
doubtful or risky experiments. The
movement in Virginia has been mark
ed by continuous improvement, because
the laws have been practical and wise,
and there has been no expenditure o1
money except that which could bring
immediate beneficial results. Wilc
and hazardous schemes, which in the
end must result in failure, cannot bu1
result dlsastrOusly to the movement"
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