The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-29

News. a representative OF the good
roads committee of the Richmond Au-
tomobiie Club Will meet a similar COM
this afternoon for the purpose of dis
cussing plans for raising the sum
needed
campaign was inaugurated n short
time since for the purpose OF securing
$4,000 in this city $4,000 OF which
vas to be applied on the roadway
from Richmond to GordonsviIle. and
the remaining $4,000 on the road
way from Richmond to Old Point OF
this amount but $4,000 has been Sc
cured. 1t is now the intention Of
those Interested to start second cam
paisn, aided by the Chamber of Com
mcrce 1t is believed that the money
can. in that way. be secured
The work on the roads has been
progressing steadily and large pro-
portion Of the improvements has been
made. However. practically all of the
funds have been exhausted. and the
time has arrived when. without the aid
of Richmond. the work already ac-
complished Will be practically worth
less. as the connecting links will make
gaps too great between the good and
the pad ROADS.
reston BeivIn TaIISs
Preston Beivin, president of the or
ganization having the campaign in
charge. and who Will appear before
the Chamber of Commerce this after
noon. in speaking OF the aid which
Richmond should give, said:
The city OF Richmond has invited
the National Good Roads Association
of America TO meet here in September
this convention Will come to Rich
mond in their own automobiles. and
the main high ay from the North and
the West is down the Valley pike to
Staunton, and from there through
Charlottesville. Gordonsville, Louisa
Courthouse to Richmond.
AT the present time more than
thirty miles Of the road between Rich
mond and Louisa Courthouse is i'm
passable in wet weather, and almost
SO in dry weather. The Chamber OF
Commerce md the Richmond Auto
mobile Club and other organizations
have favored good roads leading into
Richmond. The highway known as
the Richmond Gordonsville Louisa
highway is of the greatest Importance.
as this is a link which. when put in
proper condition. gives 563 miles of
good roads in Virginia at all seasons
OF the year.
Would Have Great Highway.
"a perfect highway from the sea
to the mountains UP the Valley of
Virginia to Washington, and there
connecting with the different State
highways for the North. East ana
West. would thus be created by com
pleting the Richmond Gordonsville
link. 1t seems to be very poor bust
ness policy for the citizens to invite
strangers to visit them and when al
most within the city limits have them
blocked by one of the worst and most
dangerous roads in the State. This
road could be improved and made pass
able for very small sum.
Richmond has been asked by the
Richmond Louisa -Ciordonsville Associ
alton to contribute $1,000 for the COM
pietion OF the road. and the PENN
sula Good Roads Association, extend
ing from Richmond to Old Point. has
asked for the same amount. making a
total of $4,000.
The good roads committee of Rich
mord has been canvas snE to raise the
needed $4,000. but up to this time
has secured only $4,000. The amount
of money asked is very little when
compared with the great good which
will accrue to Richmond. not only
from the number of very rich automo-
bile tourists who Will visit Richmond
and the historic portions of Virginia.
but the hauls will be made so easy
that the farmers will bring their pro-
ducts to market in the city. where
they will be sold and much of this
money spent in our midst
Other cities Help Cuusc.
The citizens and councils of other
progressive cities give literally to the
roads leading into their respective
, cities. Richmond and its citizens
could learn a valuable lesson from its
sister city of Petersburg. The Cock
ade City has helped financially every
road that leads into 1t. There Will
be spent around Baltimore this year
on road improvement upwards of ST.
00o,0 Other illustrations of the
way in which municipalities have come
to the aid of the good roads move
ment could he cited without limit II
is largely a question of civic pride,
coupled with sound business judg-
ment.
ION June % and "a made tour
of inspection in an automobile driven
by Mr.. Foster, over the road between
Richmond and Old Point. Twenty-four
thousand collars has already been
spent in improving this road. of which
$1,000 was contributed by the Good
Roads Association OF Richmond.
The Peninsula people are now knock
Ing at our door asking for the balance
of the amount originally requested
$4,000 The Chamberlayne Hotel has
given $1,000 Williamsburg has given
twice-once $500 and later s400, max
ing a total of 5000. The county OF
New Kent. with only 1900 white IN
habitants and 400 voters. has con-
tributed more than $500 and tho free
use of the county road teams.
Road Entirely New.
''I found the road between Richmond
and old Point had been rebuilt in
most satisfactory manner. New cuts
had been made. new fills and bridges
built, which were both ornamental and
safe. In fact the road is in excellent
shape, and will take care Of any kind
of veaicle, he 1t large or small. The
roadbed is ample wide and well
drained. SO well has the work been
done that in all safety the ride from
here to Old Point can be made in from