The Washington herald., 1916-09-10
MUD HOLE ON RICHMOND,
AUTO ROAD TO VANISH
More Aid Is Sought From Capital
Motorists for improvements.

Chopawamsic Swamp, the Dick Tur-
pin OF the washington-Richmond
highway, the Virginia mud-hole that
has long been a barrier to automobile
travel between the two capitals, and
bold holder-up of unsuspecting motor
wayfarers. is making its last stand.
II the expectations of the A. A. A.
District of Columbia Club are realized.
the Prince William County quagmire
win pass out of existence forever be-
fore the new year arrives.
Bids for the regeneration of the
swampland are now III the hands of
the Virginia state highway commits
sion, and news of the awarding of a
contract for the work is momentarily
expected.
Washington merchants and motor
lists have long looked forward to the
day when q good motor road between
Washington and Richmond would be-
come a fact, because to the former IL
means a huge increase in trade, and
to the latter new touring ground.
Much of the agitation for an im-
proved Washington Richmond high
way has been carried IN by the A. A.
A. District. of Columbia Club. Not
only did the local club subscribe liber-
ally to the fund for the roads con-
structionI but it has worked untiring-
y to raise a Washington contribution
to the work.
The National Capital was expected to
contribute A,S7O to the general fund. Less
than half that sum has been collected,
officials of the motor club state, and
unless local motorists and merchants
come forward within the next Jew weeks,
hn 10 OF nfNt he hfurhu
destined to derive the greatest benefit.
and the city which was asked the least
support, will soon enjoy the unenviable
reputation of having failed to answer
when called in a worthy cause.
Besides contributing 800 in cash to
the fund, the District Club has expended
more than $500 for clerk hire. stationary,
postage. etc, in its efforts to obtain
subscriptions. Practically every mer-
chant and motorist in the city has been
apprised of the propaganda, its why's
and wherefores, and asked for a small
contribution.
While the hotels would be the great
est direct benefciaries under the con-
struction Of the road. and it was hoped
that they would supply at least one
half OF the needed amount, the SEEM
ing Indifference on the part OF many
of them has occasioned considerable
comment The subscriptions to date from
this source are as follows:
Powhatan Hotel, 500; Congress Hall
Hotel. SIS; Harrington, IS; Shoreham. 81.
and the Washington Hotel Mems As
sociatlon, 800.
OF the other subscriptions received, an
anonymous contributor sent in 500. the
Capital Tour Association gave 800. and
a small number of Washington merchants
Ia
local motorists, most Of whom con-
tributed 81 each.
Club officials believe that many per-
sons have Sefrained from subscribing,
awaiting the moment when they would
be sure that the plans to build the road
would succeed. Now that a contract for
the work is about to be awarded, the
committee in charge of the local fund
is hopeful that those who have Jagged
behind will recognize the importance Of
doing 1t now"
Those who subscribed to the fund dur
ing the past week are as follows: l. J.
Leonard. r. B. Behrend, lie Roy Livings-
ton. c. w. Shoemaker, W, c. Gwynn.
G. H. Chandlee, E. ]. Quinn Motor Car
Company, House & Hermann. B. F. Zim-
norman, William Hahn & Company, A.
W. Dorsch, Marvin Wesley. DR.. w. P.
Reeves, Hurley & Early. Inc. Sterrett
and Fleming, Haynes Motor Company,
Inc, the Harvey Company. Inc, the
Harrington Hotel, NJ. Goldsmith & Son.
P. H. Hill, w. B. Hibbs. ]. F. Conaway,
T r. Marshall, E. S. Read, Sidney Bal
lou, John B. Henderson, Michael Dowd.
Charles Rubel & Company, Will C. Ster-
ling, Swartzell, Rheem & Hensey Com
pany w. D. Elett and Morris Bien.
Secretary Ullman states that when the
fund is finally closed, a classified list
Of the subcribers will be printed and a
copy sent to each.