Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-02-23
Coast-To Coast
Road To Pass
Thru Highland

yesterday from H. F. Byrd, of
the legislative committee which has
been considering the choice of a
route through Virginia for the coast
to coast highway, stating that the
Parkersburg route was adopted,
The choice of the Parkersbure
route means big things to High
land county, through which it lies,
as we'll as to Augusta, this county
having been certain to benefit
whichever route was adopted. both
of those conidered having included
Stanton. From $l2 900 to $l5,-
900 of government money will BIZ
spent in both Highland and Angus
ia when the road actually begins.
Highland being without railroads
the adoption of the Parkersburs
route will undoubtedly prove a
great factor in opening up the
mountain county, which has been
long handicapped by a lack of
adequate transportation facilities.
The route also includes the govern
ment timber lands, which run
through Highland.
The other route considered was
the Old Plank road via Bristol
Roanoke and Staunton.-St aunton
Leader.
1t goes without saying that High
landers are jubilant over the above
announcement, and yet they feel
that the decision in favor of this
old thoroughfare is but simple
Justice, an instance in which any
other decision would have been a
travesty. 1t is also needless tt
repeat that it means much to the
county-a scheme for her develop
ment. and placing on the market
so to speak, her biggest assets. L
is project of so much importance
that the county officials and al
those interested in her welfare
ought not to fail in any necessary
step, now or later on, that ma.
tend to "clinch the bargain" OF
further the movement toward its
consummation.
Such schemes are too often re-
tarded, and occasionally strangled
by red tape, and just how much is
to be unwound in this government
appropriation, we do not know
The act itself does not deal with
any unit smaller than the State
and requiers that each state receiv
ing an appropriation shall put uE
so per cent or an equal amour
with the government.
There seems to be a difference O
opinion as to when and how thi:
local half is to be provided, some
being of opinion that the governor
and Legislative Committee have
power to act in vacation, and thus
put the machinery in motion thi'
spring, in fact, this is provision
lin the act itself. One of our ex-
changes, however, states that th'
money may not be applied unit
the Legislature meets, agrees tt
"cover" the appropriation and de-
cides whether the state shall SHARE
the expense, alone or in part, OIL
whether the counties through which
the road passes shall bear the bur-
den. We frankly admit that WI
do not know what remains to b
done to render the aid effective
but sincerely hope that no such
tedious, doubtful course as the las
mentioned will be necessary.
The possibility that the counties
may have to cover the govern
ment's appropriation, suggested by
our exchange, appears unreasona-
BILE and absurd, and would be gross
ly unjust, although the Stat'
might have the power to so decree
Surely the counties that have beer
"sleuthed" for taxables and liter
ally "gutted" and drained, would
not be required to shoulder all TIT
burden to "come across" or los'
out.
The facts in the case will soon b'
known, and, meantime, let official
dom keep its eye open and an ca
to the ground.