The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-17
BUILDING Of NATIONAL
MILITARY ROAD LIKELY
In Washington on Atlantic to
Pacific Thoroughfare.
WOULD SERVE GREAT NEED
Also Considers Completion Of Rich
mond- Washington Highway, Fully
Connecting This City With National
Capital.

The construction OF a coast defense
road, which will extend the length Of
the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, and
the width of the southern gulf shore
and the Mexican border, was asked
for In a bill introduced in congress by
Senator Chamberlain. chairman of
military affairs, following a confer
ence with Commissioner George r.
Coleman. of the state highway depart
ment. Mr.. Coleman returned to rlcn-
mond last week from Washington and
he states that the construction of such
a road would be of considerable mill
tarY aid in defending the coast and
southern boundary of the United
States.
1t was pointed out that on account
Of the vast coast which has to be de-
Tended by this country. the coast de-
Tense road would solve the problem
for the quick transportation or men
to threatened points. It would be
impossible to maintain adequate mill
tary forces all along the American
seaboards for protection, but with the
road built. any number OF men could
be quickly brought UP to a place at
which an attack was threatened. II
built, the road would be laid in tide
water. a distance out Of range of big
guns. and would enter Virginia at
Alexandria running south through
Fredericksburg, Richmond. Peters
burg and the counties of Sussex and
Southampton to the North Carolina
line.
Complete Virginia Highway.
While In Washington Mr.. Coleman
took up with the office of public roads
the building of about three and one
half miles OF the Washing
ton highway between Occoquan and
Dunfries, and stretch OF four miles
of road from Dunfries to Quantico,
the site of the new training station
for recruits in the United States ma
rine corps. The Richmond Washing
ton highway Is completed with the
exception of the small stretch of road
between Occoquan and Dunfries, and
IL the government would do this small
piece of work. and the four miles
necessary to connect Quantico. then
the road between the national capital
and Richmond would be opened up
entirely, and Quantico could be easily
reached. For the benefit Of the train
ing station at Quantico. It Is believed
that the government realizes the i'm
portance of the roads, and it Is likely
that the work will be done In a short
time.
The Inability OF this state highway
department to obtain transportation
OF road materials Is seriously handi-
Gaping highway construction. and es-
pecially maintenance work, in vir-
sinia. So serious 10 this matter that
Commissioner Coleman conferred with
c. NJ Sheaffer. chairman OF the car
service commission. OF the national
council Of defense. who offered his
services to any extent In improving
conditions. IL they did not correct
themselves in a short time. Mr.. Cole
man pointed out yesterday that while
all highway work was being inter
fered with on account OF the inability
OF contractors to secure cars for the
loading Of materials. maintenance
work in particular was suffering.
This latter is of the greatest import
ance, because II not consistently car
ried on. roads which cost the stare
thousands Of dollars can be ruined.
Unless conditions are improved short
iy Mr.. Coleman stated that the
American Association OF State High
way Officials. Of which he is president.
would take cognfzance OF them. and
exert every influence to stop their con-
tinuance.