Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-01
CONCERTED ACTION
FOR BETTER ROADS
Bond Issue by Counties of From
Six Million to Ten Million
Dollars Is Proposed.
STATE CANNOT ACT DIRECTLY
Automobile Fund of Six Hundred
Thousand Dollars Yearly May
Be Used to Retire Bonds.

Concerted action to secure :, highly
developed system Of highways III Vir-
ginia. through tho issuance of bonds.
is being taken by prominent Richmond
business mon. and the aid OF Governor
Henry {. stuart has been enlisted in
tho movement. Th" Governor has been
the General Assembly in January. the
isla,ion. and he has promised TO hold
conference with the supporters of the
movement in tho next fcw weeks
Strong support has been given tho pro-
jcct in every quarter and it is con-
iidently believed that tho Legislature
viii work out a plan for the construc-
,ion OF improved highways throug hout
the State.
Good roads have caused wide discus
sion within til. past twelve months
principally because Virginia highways
arc declared TO be far inferior 10 those
of every other State in this section Of
the country. Ncighboring Common
weal;hs have appropriated large sums
for the Improvement OF their roads. and
have worked out comprehensive high
way systems under which all improve
were impossible in certain sections Of
Virginia, and many highways were
badly in need OF repairs during the
summer months.
STATE CANNOT ISSUE
ROAD BONDS DIRECTLY
For several months the movement
for better highways has been under
way. Consideration was first given the
issancc Of bonds by the State of Vir-
sinia for the Improvement Of the road
system. but this suggestion was quickly
found impossible, because OF constitu-
tional provisions that no bonds shall be
issued by Virginia until those refunded
under the century and RiGdlcberger
settlements have been retired. Balkcd
in their first attempt, leaders in the
movement sought some other solution
for their problem.
Since tho State cannot issue bonds for
such inprovcm the plan has been
suggested that counties of Virginia be
allowed To issue obligat ions which
would have the guarantee of Virginia.
The suggestion carries with II the
proposition Of dcvotinE the entire tax
collected from automobile licenses to
Il special fund for roads. and the
bonds Of the counties would be retired
from this fund. There would be no
material change IN NirG inits road pro-
gram. other than that extensive work
would be carrt"' out Immediately and
a definite system az roads established.
AUTOMOBILE LICENSE TA.ES
NOW Pro RATED TO cor Mites
All taxes from automobile licenses
are now pro rated among the counties
Of the State. This practice would be
continued under the suggested plan
1t is not believed that opposition would
develop in any section through the
operation of such a system. since the
state would pay interest on the local
issues ana retire tho bonds as they
maturcd. The great advantage Of the
plan. however, would he in the cstab-
lishm"nt OF q highway system. and a
plan by which all roads would lie kept
in repair once they were placed in
first class condition.
With the S6o".Ooo in taxes collected
from automobile licenses this year,
which will steadily increase. il is be-
licvcd. bankers declared yesterday af-
tcrnoon that bond issue OF from
$4,000 900 to $4,000. 900 could be roatcd.
The income from taxes would be suf-
hcicnt TO pay all interest on tho bonds.
and gradually retire them during the
next twenty years they said. An cX-
pcnditurc uf such a sum would max G
Virginia roads compare favorably with
those of nciGhboring states. business
men and motorists declare and tho Sit
uatiom is 50 serious that some immc-
Giatc action mus, ho taken.
BANKERS GIVING
PLAN CONSIDERATION
Oliver !. Sands. president OF the
American National Bank. said ycster-
day afternoon that "a conference would
probably be held with Governor Stuart
in the next few weeks. and the matter
given the utmost thought and consid :
Grafton. Tho condition of Virginia
roads were fearful. h. said. aud
motorists seldom attempted to travel
between Hichmond and WaShinyton
He thought the situation Gcpl"rabie.
and believed that The movement for
better roads would bc SO popular as
To assure tho success Of the projec,
once il is brought l" the attention OF
the General Assembly
Not only viii improved highways
prove beneficial 20 tourists and Vir-
ginia people generally. but they will
materially reduce tho high cost of
living. More money is expended in
hauling foodstuffS and farm product s
to railroad stations than is spent for
the actual transportation OF the ar
ticlcS. and better roads cause a CORE
spending reduction in prices on these
supplies.