Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-06
TURNPIKE
TO Be PUT IN GOOD ORDER
Merchants Take Vigorous Hold
of Situation.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NAMED
Fund to Be Raised by Subscription
Within Next Three Days, and
Work on Road Is to BE Done
Mt Once.

Immediate steps for the, improve
ment of the Petersburg Turnpike to
place this road in first-ciass condition
for all traffic between Richmond and
Camp Lee were taken yesterday after
noon at a joint meeting of representa-
tivcs Of the Chamber of Commerce and
the Retail Merchants Association. when
plans for raising the necessary funds
for the repairs were discussed, and a
special executive committee. Of which
IL Carl Boschen Is chairman. was ap-
pointed to direct tho work, y.
Many representative business men
attended the conference. and pledged
their vigorous support to the plan for
the Improvement OF the road at once.
Members OF the two commercial bodies
declared that If the road was to be
made of any value in handling the men
Of the National Army. it must be placed
in good condition Immediately. and to
this end the executive committee will
this morning inaugurate a three-day
campaign to raise the money needed.
The executive committee. which was
selected from members of the Cham
ber OF Commerce and the Retail Mer-
chants Association. and which will
have absolute control OF the campaign
and the improvements to the road. is
as follows:
H. Carl Boschen, chairman: Coleman
Wortham. William T. Reed. John NJ.
Miller, Jr.. Hugh Antrim. w. S. Rhoads,
j. Z. Palmatary. w. H. Schwartzschild
and w. II. Dabney, secretary.
WILL MAP OUT FINANCIAL
PLANS AT MEETING TODAY
An organization meeting. at which
time various details in the general
plan for the work will be mapped out,
will be held this afternoon at l o'clock
1t Is expected that reports will be
made at this time outlining the prog
ress already made. and suggestions will
be offered to the best way to raise
the funds necessary to improve the
road.
Work OF putting tho road in the
proper condition will be started with
out delay, and a large force Of work
men will probably begin operations
tomorrow. 1t became known last
night that the cooperation OF various
organizations would be sought to-day,
while the plans being considered indi-
Gated that the repairs will be started
Immediately. Contractors declared
that the road could be repaired within
thirty days, and that the worst
time.
1t is probable that the flrst work
will be done on the bad stretches of
the road. in order that it can be put
In good repair AS quickly as possible.
The entire twenty-five miles, however,
VIII be thoroughly worked over, and.
while the relief will be in a nature
temporary, provision has been made
Tor an active patrol of the road dur
ing the entire winter. with immediate
repairs for all washed places. In this
way. it is said that the road can be
kept in all excellent condition through
out the year.
WILL LOSE NO TIME IN
PUTTING ROAD IN ORDER
Business men expressed a great de-
sire at the conference yesterday at
ternoon for the construction OF a con-
crete road between tho two cities.
Contractors however, had submitted
estimates which placed the cost at an
proximately 100000. and said II would
require from six to eight months to
build. The need for the road was 90
urgent. members OF the two organiza-
tions declared. that no time could be
lost in waiting for the construction Of
such roadway. and it was deemed
advisable to repair the present turn
pike.
Members of tho executive committee
declared last night that they would
expect the heartiest cooperation on
tho part Of all business men and estab.
lishments. With a proper road be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg, there
would result generally Increased busi-
ness for commercial houses, they said
Continued on Ninth PageJ
WEEKEND RATES VIA q Z n 70
OLD POINT AND NORFOLK.
$500 round trip. Tickets on sale FOR Fri
day afternoon Train and all