The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-13
NEW ROADS MUST
Be MAIN TAIN Ed
Highway Commissioned Issues
Warning to Counties
Issuing Bonds.
FAvoRs WIDE TIRE LAWS
Annual Report Recommends
That All Available Convicts
Be Used on Roads.

|
! Sounding a solemn note of warning
10 the counties engaged in issuing
large amounts of bonds for road
/ building that they should make pro-
vision for keeping the roads up. the
annual report of State Highway Com
missioner r. ST. Julien Wilson was
issued yesterday. The report speaks
! with exceeding plainncss on this point,
for the commissioner believes that un-
less this subject receives more at
tention. in few years the only re-
suits remaining will be the outstand-
ing bonds.
The question of the maintenance
of roads S we'll as of bridges" says
the report, SIS a most serious one,
and one that is receiving scant at
tcniion There is IA general impress
sion that stone road once built Will,
with perhaps some slight repairs at
long intervals. last indefinitely Moth
Ing could be more erroneous. Some
macadam roads under the worst Of
modern traffic conditions have become
absolutely worn out and worthless III
less than two years. 1t has been
said that the time to begin to repatr
q macadam road is the day II is fin
ished. and there is nothing that so
we'll illustrates the truth of the adage
that stitch in time saves nine as
the care Of roads,
Should he Made Inv.
Commissioner Wilson clearly indi-
Gates that he does not propose to en-
courage large amount Of road build
ing without fully informing the public
of the needs of the future. merely for
the sake of pointing to large results
under his administration: for he CON
iinues: fa
In my former reports l have sug-
gested that State aid should not be eN-
tended to counties that do not make
some provision for the upkeep of roads
so improved.
81 am still of that opinion. and /
also feel that l would be doing less
than my duty should l fail to warn
the counties that arc preparing TO
spend large amounts or road improve
ment that. unless systematic care is
given the roads after they are built, in
a snort term of years the only results
remaining will be the outstanding road
bonds. If such a condition does come
about II Will mean a setback to the
sood roads movement in this state for
many years. Legislation should be en-
acted to amend both the State aid
and bond issue laws. SO es to insure
the proper maintenance of roads built
with such funds" I
Need Wide Tire Law.
with equal frankness. Captain VIII
son calls attention TO the desirability
OF legislation requiring the use OF
vide tires. He calls attention to the
fact that only q small percentage OF
the roads of the State Will eyar be
macadamized. and that some sections
will for many years have TO be con
tent fifth soil roads kept in the best
condition. Therefore. he says, any
thing but bad condition is impossi-
BILE when soft road is called upon
to stand heavy loads on narrow tires.
lie regards the law passed by the
legislature at Its last session requir-
ing that any wide tire ordinance
adopted by the supervisors OF a coun-
~ be submitted 10 the people before
II becomes effective. as most unfor-
tunate, and he says II will be more
preiudicial 10 the work OF lettering
the condition OF the roads than any
law on the statute books, until the
public can be educated up to the ne
| ccssity for using wide tires
For the year covered by the repor,
about 29o miles of road were built
under the supervision of the commits
sion. This is in wide contrast for the
first year under It's opera ,ions-lso1-
when but twenty-five miles were built
The nuL.ber has doubled each year.
! Helped by Citizens
{ while this substantial evidence OF
the progress being made in road i'm
proTement must of necessity be graft.
| Tying 70 all persons Interested" com.
ments Mt Wilson. another result OF
the work of the last few years IS OF
even greater value. as it gives prom
ise of continuance in increasing ratio
] refer to the efficient work and the
liberal subscriptions OF public. spirited
citizens in all parts OF the State. Toe
| much praise cannot be given 10 those
individuals who have worked in sea
son and out TO stimulate Interest and
arouse action in their communities
and who have been generous in ,hei,
contributions to help make State s.t
! available in their counties. z
| Our press has been persistent 81
| rs efforts to educate our people a.
| the importance and necessity Of eoor
| roads. and our railroads have bea,
| liberal in ihei- treatment o. a,rnos
every request that has been ma6e o
them for co-opera ton
| The report includes some str,kin,
! Illustrations of Virginia roads "befor,
/ and after taking the treatment eiyer
| p!l the commission. II is hoped b,
the commissioner tina. the next Leg
isiature Will make sufhclent apDro
| priation to utilize ali the syails 81,
! convict road force, including the in
mates OF the jails. f
Case of SMALLPOX
J. D. 3oits, a Sor,h catol.niaa. va. :,