The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-23
MILITARY HIGHWAYS
NECESSARY IN STATE
National Government Points ONT Use
in Connecting Camps ny series
of Ronhs.
ASKS WHAT CAN RI DONE
Federal Aid Entirely Inadequate for
Construction and Maintenance and
Question in RAISED About Co-op~va~
tion-~Lsvy - PeudtuE.

Because Of military necessity the ma
tional government has called upon the
state OF Virginia TO ascertain what the
state can DO To provide suitable roads
connecting the military camps, army,
navy ana aviation establishments, mu-
milton plans in different cities, and
highways available for military pur-
poses leading from Washington to
Richmond Richmond TO Newport News.
Richmond 70 Petersburg and Peters
burg 70 Norfolk, and other roads
throughout the state.
This involves 344 miles Of road in
ciuded In the new state highway Sys-
tenn.
what Virginia can do to meet this
request OF the national government de.
Ponds entirely on what appropriations
for state highway development the
present session of the general assem-
bly, provides.
1t is known in washington that the
share Of the federal aid road building
fund available for Virginia is entirely
inadequate to aid substantially in the
construction of these highways. and
the understanding at the capital is
that IL Virginia can make a fair prop
osttion 70 the national government
provision win he made for stiil fur
ther aid from the national funds.
Government Handicapped.
Because Of the almost impassa bic
condition of these highways as they
exist at present. the government is ser
iously handicapped in it's war prep
arations Transportation over these
roads by motor trucks is all but i'm
possible. and absolutely impossible at
times In any practicable way.
To take advantage OF this opportuni~
ty for increased support by the gov
eminent in creating system OF good
roads. as planned for by the state
highway system law. for which no ap-
preparation has yet been made, VIII
require an appropriation Of approx
mateiy million and a quarter each
year until the system is completed
There are two issues involved. One
whether the state shall appropriate
that amount. and II so, whether IT
shall be by increase of the general
tax or by a direct tax ievyinc ten
cents on the hundred on all property
The direct tax by special levy would
remove all uncertainty as to the
amount to be appropriated each year
which would exist II 1t devolved upon
the assembly et~h year to determine
upon and make the appropriation FOR
this purpose.
WitNout diHntte knowledge as to this
the state highway commission cannot
nan opt md follow a definite. economic
md efficient program
In reply to a request from Senator
c. O'Connor Goodrich and Delegate
J Sinclair Brown for an exposition
Of the departments needs in relation
70 the above. Highway Commissioners
Coleman has submitted statement as
follows.
Coicmau's Statement.
The Immediate needs for 1918 are:
Funds for operating highway de-
pcrtmert. approximately, $4,000.
state money aid for Class + roads
5000 600,
For convict labor, 100000, This Is
for the machinery and administration
OF the work on which II Is proposed
10 use all able-hadied state convicts.
To meet federal aid funds accrued
s225. 600. and IN meet federal aid funds
FOR 1918, 100000.
The counties own the machinery
fr0rt{rnaH ON CarcnA