Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-31
VIRGINIA HIGHWAYS AND
THEIR MAINTENANCE
Roads, Once Good, Easily Kept in
That Condition-CoSt Less Than
Patching Bad Roads.
SOME COUNTY BOARDS DERELICT
Good Roads Fever Spreading in Old
Dominion-Niorc Bond Issues to BE
Voted-Twentieth- Century Meth
DDS for Upkcep Called For.

rhe sentiment in favor of good roads
Is growing in Virginia. Many coun-
ties already are Boosting OF their
splendid highways. and others that
have been backward are taking les
sons from the progressive counties.
The reports are to the effect that III
numerous districts where elections are
TO be held OH bond issues for road
building, some OF them this week at
the same time as the elections for
members OF the Legislature, the good
roads fever has taken such deep hold
on the people chat there is but little
doubt that in most cases bonds Will
he voted.
In the meantime the people and tho
officials are studying the general sub
jcct of improved highways, and are
beginning 20 consider one aspect that
has not heretofore received very much
attention in Virginia and that Is the
maintenance of the roads after they
have been built In some counties,
too many OF them, where much money
was spent to build superior highways.
no provision was made for tho ncces-
sary maintenance. and this has, of
course. caused a great deal Of disSatiS-
faction. and, incidentally strengthened
the hands and given unnecessary force
TO tho arguments Of the old foEicS who
oppose bond issues by counties or dis
tricts for the building Of highways
PLACING RESPONSIBILITY
WHERE IT BELONGS
This is matter that good roads
advocates are beginning 10 give more
and more attention to. Where a county
builds a goo road and then neglccts
il and lets it become rutty, washed
ont. or uneven, who or what is prin-
cipally to blame? AS result of a
study of conditions in n number of
counties. the expert road specialists
are inclined to place the responsibility
upon the following defects in road
iilanaE ement, some or all of which are
found in all the counties where good
roads are not properly repaired and
plaintliDed
- !. The county Boards of Super
Nisors, though having full admiuistra-
tive authority. appear not to attach to
Importance or legal effect which it
should have.
.. County boards do not gen
orally have sufficient accounting con-
troll OF road funds 10 know what is
available for amy particular project,
where funds have been or where cA-
listing balances are to DC expended
8. Lack of any systematic prac-
tcc in handling road funds among
most counties makes il very difficult
TO carry out over even Il single year
amy persistent maintenance policy. he
buuSt iulliS cllSlallN OpllRatcu Tor
maintenance purposes are not protected
against sporadic ana irregular drafts
Tor miscellaneous purposes. The great
est likelihood consequently exists
everywhere that there will be no bal
ance in the maintenance fund in the
last half or third of the year. althourh
only part of the fund allotted may
have been spent.
J. Local labor available for main
'Hnanco work is made dissatisfied by
the constant. unintcllIGent. and unfav-
p'ahle criticism Of those using tho
road
:. Maintenance continuing over a
period OF ycarS--the ultimate indis
pcnsahlc condition OF effective main
tenancc--is jcopardizcd by the lack OF
accounting control that will prevent
spending next years current income in
this year.
.. The lack OF skilled supervision in
construction and the effect Of this I'm
increasing the cost or in making cfrcc-
i've maintenance impossibly expensive
Is everywhere seen.
=. The county authorities are com
monty opposed to following suggcs-
tions for maintenance that involve ty-
Ing up road funds in any way, such a.
purchasing materials in advance to
store along the road for making re :
pairs or maintaining the ROAD surface.
t,N ESN IL II ,ENl
MEIifnDsT0 DE ADOPTED
:. The split log drag, If properly used
and at the right time, will do a great
deal IN the way OF Keeping the roads
from washing. keeping ruts filled and
otherwise improving conditions and il
is a cheap enough contrivance but i,
seems 10 be nohody's business. so the
experts say. 10 supply and look after
the drags
one thing is certain. il is waste
OF money 10 build good roads and then
leave them TO take care OF themselves.
once get good road and il does not
cost near AS much 10 keen ii good as
~ Goes 10 repair and patch u bad road
rae ooards OF supervisors in some of
the counties Of Virginia In which good
roads have been made have found this
OUT. and are making fairly good use Of
that knowledge, but. apparently. some
other boards have not stumbled upon
this important fact II is 20 be hone6
mat III time all of them will wake up
and adept and carry out twentieth cen
taYr