Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-19
U. S. Contributed $4,000.

The public. it is said, has been under
a wrong impression in believing that
this portion of the Bichmond-W ash
ington highway was being rebuilt di-
rectly by the Virginia state highway
commission. The government contrib
uted $4,000 toward the construction OF
the swamp territory. and the cttl4chS
of Fredericksburg. Richmond and else
where $4,000, a total of $4,000. The
only condition upon which the gov
ernment would contribute WAS that 1t
should have entire charge ami super
vision of the work. which naS been
partly delayed on account of weather
conditions during the past six weeks
II is now stated that this pact al the
road should he completed ScI't amh"r +,
and it is hoped that the st1'c righw ~
commissioner Will use his influence IN
this direction.
The state highway commission as
sumes the responsibility with the gov
eminent through the Office of public
roads for the completion of another
part of the Richmond Washington
highway-that section between Ma
rumsco and Neabsco creeks-a stretch
of three and one-half miles between
Occoquan and Dumfries. by arranging
to secure the use of fifty prisoners on
this section. while the public roads
commission will provide the $4,000
cash needed.
At the same time the government
will improve the road from Dumfries
to connect with Quantico, a distance
OF four miles. The contractors who are
working on the swamp are also build
ing this road. which. when completed.
will bring Fred"rjcksb in direct
road connection with Quantico. IT was
stated that when the road was finally
completed it may become a through
post-road to Richmond. 1t must be
borne in mind that Prince William
county has not contributed anything
toward the completion of the roads
in that county.
To Be Ready by September 1.
Secretary Slime was informed that
the probabilities are that the swamp
section will be completely restored by
September /, and the other portion Of
the road by December l, this part be-
ing passable at any time and is not
affected by the rains like the swamp.
It is safe. therefore. for tourists 20
make the trip from Richmond - WASH
ington. since the bad section mas been
reduced to such a short distance, ara
this is passable .. 1,:a,
MANY tourists continue to visit Hich-
nond in spite of bad suetches on
nearIv every highway leading INTO
richmond. The Richmond Automobiie
Climb for some months has deFoted Us
efforts to the Improvement oil the roa .'is
and at the same time to mapping our
routes of detour that the bad ROADS
might be evaded. Some sections OF
naarhv counties, while on highways,
IRE now being avoided by taking these
detourS. rv.,,or
and Thomas A. Gebhardt of the Rich
mond Automobile club drove to Fred a..
ericlsbure. where they were joined ny
r stuart Rover. city manager, Z. X.
Howard city treasurer. and 6. r.
slime secretary of the chalnper OF
commerce. for a trip to the Chappa-
wansic swamp section of the Rich
mond- washington highway. They
snent some time looking over the I'm :
movements being effected, and made
several photographs that show con- ON
biobwav The superintendent of the
work Of Improvement keeps Secretary
walker informed as to travei coma :
tons in the swamp, so that tourists
may be advised on their arrival IN
Richmond.