The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-19

growing traffic. Capital must receive
fair return on its investment. and.
at tho same time, the carriers owe
TO the people OF tho Commonwealth
certain duties which must be met.
The advocacy OF program Of broad
and liberal treatment for the trans
portation lines will encourage them
TO improve their facilities. but with
this must come the requirement that
the laws and regulations OF the State
be strictly complied with.
The Improvement OF the public roads
OF the state rank among the first Of
its needs. No effort should be spared
until Virginia is covered with a vast
network of modern highways so that
families can be brought closer 10 their
neishhors. villages nearer to their
county seats. county seats in close
proximity to their towns. towns with
in 4 few hours OF the cities and the
state joined by many additional roads
with it's sister States. Tho doctrine
of good roads. already widely dis
scminated through the State, should
be preached until there is not a per
son within its boundaries who il not
convinced that good roads means
prosperity and progress.
With improved transportation ia
cilities, the upbuilding OF tho Com
mcnwealth broadens into two princi-
pal avenucs-thc development Of the
development OF the towns and cities.
or the two the nrst will appeal as
most importants those who believe
that the prosperity OF the country de-
Ponds largely upon the farmer and see
In Virginia an opportunity for the de-
veloDncnt OF the ideal rural life which
has been responsible for so many great
leaders In our national history. 1t
must be apparent TO all that there is
no greater factor for prosperity than
good crops, and there Is no surer
method of increasing the wealth and
wcll-being Of the Commonwealth than
by increasing the yield of our pro-
ducts. Farm life in Virginia should
, be made more profitable by giving the
boys and girls living In the country
greater opportunities to educate them
selves along practical lines by increas-
ing the facilities OF the county or dis
trict high schools, so that agricul-
tural, technical and domestic science
courses may be important factors:
where the hand may be taught in con-
junction with the brain; where eff
fciency Will DO regarded rs tho cardi-
the rural high schools should be urged
/ by the newspapers of tho state.
To keep the boys and girls on the
/ farms drudgery must be removed from
/ farm life, and here another opportunity
| presents itself The doctrine of labor
. y
| In the dairy, her kitchen and her house
| hold should be preached, as well rs
| for the farmer. who already is becom-
| Ing moro and more educated to the
| need of the latest improved reapers,
| binders, drills and sprendera The re-
! moving of consequences from those
| living in the country will do much to
| mako people more Contented to live
IN rural districts. Good roads, bring
ing communities in closer touch with
| one another and making possible an in
| terchange OF social life. will make llv-
! ing conditions on the farm moro ac-
| ccptable.
Development OF the community in
terest by advocating the school houses
and churches ms centres around which
will cluster all the activities of the
county, the establishment of boys corn
clubs and girls canning clubs. debnt :
ing societies, mothers meetings and
fraternal organizations should be
fostered by the newspapers OF tho
State, especially those in county
seats.
The development Of the towns and
cities of the State will naturally fol-
love the prosperity of the rural dis
tricts, but 1t is easily seen thai upon
the newspapers of the State must de-
pend much of thoir progress. Eff
cheney in municipal affairs must be
the watchword; an efficient city gov.
| III pidCe OIL the cumbersome
councils which clog the administrative
work in many towns and cities: eff
cient schools, where boys and girl,
may be prepared for the struggle o
life; efficient publicity 50 that the ad
vantages of each community may b,
widely advertised. and men and CAPT
tai brought to assist In Its develop
ment.
There are many other factors tina
are needed In the upbuilding OF tn
Commonwealth. Perhaps OF all thing
the most important to do at once Is
revision of the tax laws OF the State
which are at present Anticipated AM
unjust. This IL Il problem that dc