The Washington herald., 1909-08-15

street, near seventh Designed by h.
We're permitted 10 use this In the con-
structiOn of bridges. the county furnish
ing an amount equal 20 that furnished
by the State: the location Of the bridge
20 be determined by the state and county
authorities, and the plans and specih-
cations 20 be approved by the highway
commlssioncr.
Under these two laws this year the
State appropriation 10 the aid OF road
Improvement is S329. 500 The results from
the Joint operation OF these laws have
been wonderful, and have given a great
impetus 90 road Improvement and con-
gtructlcn.
"All The counties IN the State. except
ten. have avalled themselves OF the pro-
visions OF the law, and hence I'm all the
counties except ten. there IS al present
either being constructed permanent roads
or needed bridges The advantage 0f this
law is that it gives every county an
object lesson, enabling IL 20 see the ad-
vantages accrulng from the construction
ot good roads. Experience has shown
that wherever an object lesson OF even a
few miles Of good road has been con-
st-ucted it had been followed Immediately
by the construction OF many additional
miles and great Increase OF interest IN
good highways.
Under the operation Of these laws I30
miles OF permanent road have been con-
suUcted within the State; 1873 miles more
are under contract and IN process Of con-
structon. The roads constructed and
those contracted for are OF the best
modern type. Arrangements have been
fn
structi0n OF 1876 miles more. located IN
twenty-six different counties. Thus IN a
very short time, under the operation OF
these laws, Virginia viii have constructed
459 miles OF permanent road.
Surveys Have Been Made.
Surveys have been made for 1n miles
more. which will soon be let 20 contract.
Applications are pending before the high
way commission for -5S miles % be sur
veyed for the purpose Of construction.
Thus in the near future Virginia viii
have under contract and in process OF
construction about 73s miles Of permanent
roads
In addition 10 this. in nearly every
county and section Of the State there IS
manifested an intense interest in public
roads. The citizens and local authorities
are uniting to greatly increase the pres
ent amount OF road Improvement Each
day witnesses a great scceleration OF the
mOvement-more interest. more appro-
priation OF money.
In addition 10 this the highway com
mission has prepared plans for many
splendid iron bridges in twenty-six coun-
ties, the majority Of which have been
completed or are now under construction
under this State aid
The plan Of road improvement and bet
terment IN Virginia by the joint aid OF
State an local authorities has been pro-
dUctive Of most beneficial results. and I
am sure viii be further extended by the
next general assembly.
May Use Money To Pay Interest.
THE law provided that the money ap-
portioned 20 eacn county can be used I'm
payment Of interest on bonds or for the
retirement Of the principal OF the bonds
issued for road betterment or construc-
ton, If so desired by the counties. Under
this provision q county Is enabled 10
issue bonds and then use the funds fur
nished by the State 10 pay the interest
on the bonds OF as a sinking fund for the
retirement OF the bonds when due. the
State paying half the interest and half
the sinking fund. Under the operation
Of this law Ss69 600 Of bonds have been is
sued, and when disposed OF will greatly
increaSe the amount Of road cOnstruc-
tion.
The Issue Of bonds under this law
would have been much larger but for
some doubt as 20 the legality Of certain
provisions OF the law governing bond
issue5 In connection with the require
ments Of voters. This can be easily cor
rected at the next session Of the general
/ assembly. and this provision OF the law
VIII doubtless be availed Of by many
counties.
THE fight for good roads IN Virginia
has been won If the present earnest work
and interest are continued, and neither
the State nor local authorities will be no
unwise as TO venture I'm doubtful or risky
experiments. The movement in Virginia
has been marked by continuous improve
ment. because the laws have been prac-
teal and wise. and there has been no ex-
penditure OF money except that which
could bring immediate beneficial results.
Wild and hazardous schemes, which in
the end must result in failure. cannot but
result disastrously to the movement