Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-08-06
IMPROVE HIGHWAYS
WITH R. R. TAXES

Governor Swanson Publishes Valua-
BILE Article on Better Roads and
Makes Suggestions Worth
Considering.
''Virginia's Active Interest in Inn
proved Highways" is the title of lead
ing article which appears in the cur
rent issue of the Manufacturers Record,
and which is the product of the pen of
Governor Swanson.
The Old Dominion Executive, who
has much to say about the system of
working convicts on the public high
ways, uses these words:
1.-THE success of the convict road
forces has been marked, and shows re-
suits as beneficial as it's most sanguine
advocate could wish. The demand for
these camps is larger than the State
can supply. The law will doubtless be
amended at the next session of the Gen
eral Assembly so as to provide for more
camps and make it easier to obtain the
Jail prisoners.
Referring to late legislative enact
ments in aid of better highways the
Governor says:
"Under these two laws, this year the
State appropriation to the aid of road
improvement is 1929, 800. The results
from the joint operation of these laws
have been wonderful, and have given
great impetus to road improvement and
construction.
"All the counties in the State except
ten have awaited themselves of the pro-
visions of the law, and hence in all the
counties except ten there is at present
either being constructed permanent
roads or needed bridges. The advan-
tage of this law is that it gives every
county an object lesson, enabling it to
see the advantage accruing from the
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 had been
followed immediatelyjby the construc-
ton of many additional miles and
great increase of interest in good high
ways.
"In addition to this, in nearly every
county and section of the State there is
foI iv,fo 1,xf
lie roads. The citizens and local au-
thorities are uniting to greatly increase
the pre- cnt amount OF road improve
ment. Each day witnesses a great ac-
celeration of the movement-more in
terest, more appropriation of money.
"The fight for good roads in Virginia
has been won, if the present earnest
work and interest are continued. 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 of
money except that which would bring
immediate beneficial results"
In concluding his article, the Gov
ernor says:
81 favor an act dedicating certain
amount derived from specific source
of revenue for the State aid to roads, to
be distributed and utilized under the
present law among the counties. 1t
would seem to me to be wise provi-
sion for the State to pass an enactment
pledging that in the future all money
derived from the State taxation upon
the physical property of the railroads,
amounting last year to S2S9, 1862. 26,
should be used in the future for public
highway improvement and construc-
ton.
''This would make the State aid per-
manent. The counties that think prop
er to issue bonds would then know
what they could expect in the future
from the State to pay interest and
create sinking fund, and could thus
act wisely in regard to the issuance Of
| bonds. This would also enable the
counties that decided to issue bonds to
sell the bonds easily and at reasonable
prices, because the State has pledged a
certain sum to pay the interest and
create sinking fund for retirement of
the bonds. The counties that did not
wish to issue bonds could use the fund
for the construction and improvement
of the roads. / believe the enactment
of law of this kind would give an inn
mense impetus to road improvement
in Virginia, and in few years the
State would be covered by splendid
puolic highways. This plan is prac-
tical, prudent, and there would be no
expenditure of the money except for
immediate and practical benefits. The
revenue of the State is simply suffici-
ent to justify this expenditure for the
public roads. Each year would wit
ness las the railroads increased in value
and mileage) an increased amount
available for good road construction.
81 believe a model system of road
construction and improvement is to be
found in combination of Federal State
and local aid. The travel over the
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