Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-12
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
OF STATE IS ACTIVE
c. Il. Scott. Assistant to Commits
sioner Coleman, Explains Work
ing of That Department.
THIRTY-FOUR CAMPS IN ACTION
From 100 to 1900 Prisoners Are
at Work Upon IiGhwnys-Ninety-
Six Out of 100 Counties Benefited.
How Revenues Are Expended.

others ask wha, becomes OF the money
derived fom taxation OF automobiles
and other vehicles. This question arises
from the fact that the highways OF the
state do not n all times show proper
uNkecp The work OF the state High
WAY Department is explained in de-
tail by Assistant Highway commissions
or { 3 Scott, in tho August number
OF Southern Progress III part the
article says
In order to assist III tho development
of improved roads. the state OF Nir-
cinia. in 1906. established a state
Highway Commission. consisting OF Il
commissioned. who is the chief cxccu.
tive. and thc professors OF civil en-
cheering of the University OF Virginia.
Virginia Military Institute. virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical College
ana rolytochnic Institute The object
I'm establishing a State Highway Com
mission was TO have expert men to
supervise the construction OF Stat. aid
roads ana bridges, and to utilize the
money and convict labor available IL
a systematic and efficient manner
Prior 10 that time the State had
lat@, l. employ its convicts on con-
tract work In the state Fenitcutiary,
Al present there are thity-four con-
Wet forces in as many counties. EN-
ployirc from 100 10 1900 prisoners.
The counties have no expense in re-
gard to the maintenance Of the pris-
Cners. except their medical attention,
which is Comparatively small amount
the state constructing tn" camps,
boarding, clothing and guarding tho
prisoners without cost TO the counties
The counties pay the salary OF the
engineer in charge Of thu work. the
wages Of the foreman, cost of team
hire. tools and supplies. and furnish
tho machinery and other equipment
necessary for carrying on the work.
The average cost OF maintaining the
prisoners has been approximately 3?
cents per calendar day and Go l-2 cents
per ten-hour working day.
In case the work Is 10 he done by
convict labor, an engineer IS appointed
TO supervise the construction. and If
the work is done by contract. tho con
tractor Is charged 81 per day OF ten
hours for the convict labor, which
amount goes to the credit OF the county
and reduces the payments 10 be made
to tho contractor.
TIE appropriations for the State
Highway Commission for the past year
were as follows:
For maintenance Of State convict
road force. sl4. O"r ;.nd Jail fee: FOR
State norey aid. direct appropriation
slSI,hO0; automobile tax. $4,000, ap
preparation for engineering, supervi-
sion and office expenses, s@6,5n0. max
ing total appropr alton from all
sources for tho wcrl: OF tho department
of Si72.50j and tlll fees.
The apHropriati.' for this year are
the same except the automobile tax,
which Will he considerably increased.
During the twelve months ending
September 80. 1911. work was carried
on in a6 OF the 100 counties OF tho
state. 20 bridges being partially or
implicitly constructed n a cost of
slo9.72ea,, and SOS separate roads We're
hlllt, Amounting So, miles n