Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15

commission on ear-service- OF the rail-
road committee OF the Council OF Ma
tionalr Defense at Washington. and
relief will be granted. IL possible. al.
though 1t is probable that a petition
by local road authorities without the
backing. of the state highway depart
influence.
WORK IS COMPLETED
BEFORE PLANS ARE READY
The Secretary OF War has recently
let IL contract for the construction OF
a military city near Louisville TO
Mason .S :Hangeri one OF the oldest
general contracting organizations in
tho country. Years ago. before the
GiyIf Var. there was q bad washou,
Of the country The president of the
road sent for the founder of that con-
tracing. firm. and told, him to repair
the bridge as rapidly as possible, TO
60 ahead with what work could be
done without plans. and to come around
in week. for the plans. The con-
tractor reported at the presidents Of
flee at the end of the week, and was
handed the plans. which he handed
back. with the simple statement that
he had rebuilt the bridge while the
toned here because tho resourccful-
ness and initiative of that noted con-
trartQr of an earlier day are much
needed now. We have been steadily
improving our methods of road build
ing. but Improvement in such work
means progress from simple things to-
ward those more complex. We have
become accustomed to rely on certain
people for some supplies. on others
Tor Certain Glasses Of seryice. on others
Tor other things. until quite a com
plicatcd relationship has developed
without our being quite aware Of il.
until shortage of cars and shortage Of
labor combine TO show that roadbuild-
ing depends on many conditions over
which VIC do not have the control we
have all along thought was ours. But
just because our habits must be
changed is no reason for giving up
life. Just because we cannot get sup
plies for everything we have planned
ls no reason for abandoning every
thing. We will find in many cases
that II we ascertain just what must
be done to keep.our roads already built
~in fair condition and 10 Improve those
which must be improved to meet
pressing needs, and then study all the
possible ways Of doing this work. that
bodybuilding need not be halted 1t
Will not he practicable to do some of
the work in the way that is best when
conditions are normal; the problem is
tnat which raced the old Kentucky
contractor. TO do the work in the best
way when conditions are abnormal
no roads can he built by protractcd
delays TO discuss car shortage useful
as those discussions may be. The only
way to do things now is TO utilize
what can be obtained so as TO make IL
serve the taxpayers to the utmost ex-
tent. This will be done OF course and
the desirable thing is TO begin right
now.
A CONCISE ALIGNMENT FOR
CONTINUED HOADnUILDING
a large number OF persons engaged
in many professions and callings re-
Gently met at Columbus under the
auspices Of the Ohio Good Roads Fed
GRAFTON. and after a discussion of bust
n"ss conditions in both city aid coun-
try, adopted the following concise state
ment OF reasons for continuing road
work:
Resolved. first. that the efficiency
OF our Industrial. COMMERCIAL and agri-
cuituari. srtIvs,ies should not be less
chad or handicapped by war hystcr!a.
Secohd, that our financial resources
are ;n "a healthy condition. no strin-
sen'y IN tho money market exists.
'here is ample employment at good
wages for all labor. that the agricul-
tural districts promise an unusual acre
aEe and harvest yield, that every pound
Of meat and bushel OF grain the farm
produces can he sold AT profit prices,
~