The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17
ROAD BUILDERS TO
MEET IN FEBRUARY

The Virginia Road Builders Asso-
citation expects to hold it's fourth an
nual meeting in the auditorium OK
Murphy's Hotel. on February . and
10. This association is composed Of
county officials. contractors, engi-
neers and other persons interested In
road construction and maintenance.
Ii was organized in 1911 for the pur-
pose OF discussing sources OF revenue
for road Improvement. questions of
location and construction and. par
ticDlarly. that OF road maintenance.
At the coming meeting 1t Is expected
that there will be an address on The
Relation of Road Improvement to the
Public Schools" by the Hon. r, g.
Stearnes. Superintendent Of Public
Instruction; ON Cooperation Be-
tween County and State by Colonel
Lucius Gregory, of Mecklenburg
County; on Road Laws and Neces-
sary Legislation" by the Hon. &. r.
Coleman. State Highway Commission
err; on Road Maintenance, by the
Hon. II q. Shirley. Chief Engineer OF
Maryland State Road Commission; on
THE Use OF Asphalt. Tar and Similar
Materials" by c. s. Reeve. of the
United States Once OF Public Roads,
Washington. ID. G. on sand Clay and
Soil Roads" by Mr.. z. q. Durfey. Of
the Virginia State Highway Commits
sion. and on Highway Bridges and
Culverts." by Mr.. g. d. Snead, bridge
engineer Of the Virginia state High
way Commission.
Discuss Road Maintenance.
The association has made a special
effort to get some one 10 discuss the
question OF Road Maintenance" who
is qualified to do SO and they have
been very fortunate In getting Mr.
Shirley. Chief Engineer of the Mary
land State Roads Commission, to dis
cuss this topic and ii Is their object
to devote the session IN the afternoon
OF Tuesday, February 9th, largely to
this subject They hope to nave q
number OF county supervisors and
road commissioners present, as well
as others who are Interested IN this
subject in order that II may he thor
oughiy discussed. There is proba bly,
no subject connected with road I'M
provement in this State that deserves
ton than that OF Road Main'eu-
ance" A number of the counties
have issued bonds for road improve
ment with which they have construct
ed roads OF various types In many
cases these roads are not being prop
erly maintained and II some steps are
not taken in the near future to de-
wise proper system OF maintenance,
the people OF these counties Will fina
that they have lost . large part OF
their investment while they still have
the debt incurred, issuing the bonds
1t you'd seem wise. WITH so serious
a matter as this before us. that we
should ascertain what Is being done
in the other States and what Is con-
sidered the NEST improved practice in
regard to road maintenance and then
devise a system adapted to the needs
and conditions which prevail in this
State. In addition to the improved
roads which have been constructed in
recent years there In very large
of unimproved or earth roads
which will not be surfaced with
either macadam, gravel or other ma
terisl at any time In the near future,
and large part Of the population Of
the state Is served by such roads and
il is very desira BILE that the NEST Ell
fcient methods of maintaining such
roads be Diet .rmined and put In force.
In order that the large sums of money
which are being expended in road
and maintenance may be
economically invested 1t Is neces-
sary that tho forces thus employed
be as carefully and systematically or
ganixed az those OF any railroad or
other corporation and that the prope-
reports and accounts be made in
order that the responsibility for tbs
expenditure Of the money and the re-
suits obtained be definitely fixed.
The Virginia Road Builders Also
extends a cordial welcome to
all persons interested In road i'm
provement to attend it's meetings and
take part in its discussions, 1t is
expected that reduced rates will be
given by the railroads and hotels and
any Information desired car be OBJ
tanned by addressing the secretary of
the association. Mr.. r. d. Henley. r.
o. box 1856, Richmond. Va.