The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-25


South has fully awakened to the econ
omic value Of modern highways and
that 1t 10 literally afire with enthusi-
asm and determination to provide
network Of good roads that will reach
every corner Of its domain, IL striking
ly set forth in the current issue Of the
Manufacturers Record, containing
ono Of the sixteen Southern and South
western states. Ultra-conservative
figures. based upon estimates con-
tanned In these statements. show that
at least 500, 100000 will be provided
for state and county road work dur
ing the present year, this not Including
the funds for federal-aid roads This
amazing sum emphasizes much strong
err than words how, thoroughly aroused
the whole couth Is upon the question
of good roads.
Brief references to some of the fea-
lures OF work in each Of the states
of the SCUM ana Southwest Will en-
phasize how thoroughly the demand
for good roads permenates every part
Of this section.
In Alabama it is estimated that
ti,162,000 Will be available, in addi-
ton at at least 100000 for exclu-
slve county work.
Arkansas has a three-mill road tax
which provides about $1,500,000 per
annum, but. In addition, under the
Alexander act, the state highway ce
partment has made surveys and fur
nished plans and specifications OF g.
500 miles Of roads Of a permanent
character at the estimated cost OF S.
$4,000. practically one-half of which
has been constructed or is now IN
process of construction.
The people of Florida have been
earnestly at work for several wears
past in building modern highways
through every part Of the state. ana
mately $17.000.000. The annual reve-
nue. for road work in tht fifty-two
counties Of Florida Is approximately
31.600,000, and the counties of the
state have still $2,S0o,o00 Of work TO
be constructed under existing con-
tracts. Additional funds are contin-
uously being provided through county
bond Issues.
In 1915 Georgia counties spent -
100000 for roads ana bridges. and in
dicat1ons are that 1917 will witness
very great activities for country wide
snd intsrcounty bridge requirements
ana highway Improvement.
In kentucky 811 miles Of roads were
built in 1916 At An approximate cost
OF 13.S00.0oo, while this year It Ia
stated that contracts VIII be let for
oet .e Wv III A,oov ml1es Q, roau,
eonsuun9 more ."aa wo.k thtn ~
my s ,o ~. , nu i q, nca nca an eS-
sib1y more.
Louisiana. which has encountered
difficult problems In road building,
has become the terminus Of many IN
80 :, $500 s' i .'as
~, 49,. 80. ~ $500.
". ao@ ns,. ws 1 $780, o., .ohm .t,h
49,. a.ah..a. .san onn t
ene s.m" ~. ,ss1,n .sa s speh'
'an,is nj Mi..,sstpni' ma li,tis Sonh,
a.. g.. ~ 49,. 49,. 49,,
,a..s 81, ,a.a :. uar.h,,. ga,
.st,.,,iora1 srnoaS 80, .nn,nrr,.,,n.
a.. noa 100 ~ sss nra ooS ~ $500
49, ~ ~ '''e's'' '~' "s
MsIand roercase'
Maryland whicn 10 looked upon As
a model IN state highway develop
menr mas 70 mate expended totsi
or *o'sso.ooo- THESE state roads reach
every corner OF tne state. ihey nave
neen punt OF permanent materials. ana
repIesent . spienoIo example OF uhe
many oesirao.e auVahtaRes ahu posi-
oii,.ies o. centranzsd state VOTE.
IN mississippi Isi' promises 10 De
,he oAnheT sesr 'or kooo o roa ono sh m,
~ IL expected thst Over ss,oo".ooo VIII
ne expended. one county aione IN
ms state mas pro'aeo ssov'eoV IN
oonds TO ouild concrete roads at an
*VeIske Cost OF sAo'ooo per Hie.
IN missouri there are appToAima,e
aoo special ROAD @tricts IN inc
deHerent eonnues ~nich nave rosed
oonds' ranging rom sze'ooo TO sioo'-
"9V some OF the counties voting
county.wde nono issue are y, Louis:
ss,ooo:ooV: Jenerson' ss"e'oee' ana
Gay. sI,soo.oVo.
Nor,n CeThna mas oeen one or the
most active OF the southern state IN
nisnway improvemsnt: during 1915
ss.loe.ooo was speent TOR maintenance
ana new construction. wniie In lsiI
II expecteo mat AZ ieast ss'oeo.ooo
VIII De avaIaoie ior sucn work. In
mo report from This state general
tendency 10 shown TO put In more dur
able materials than ever before
Oklanomas syAens
In oklahoma state road systems
have been established and approved IN
~al OK the ~ counties, and county
commissioners are concentrating their