Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-07
TAKES UP ROAD PROBLEM
WITH PRESIDENT WILSON
Governor Davis Urges Construction
OF Highways as Essential
War Measure.
CONCRETE SURFACE NEEDED
Roads Built for Peace Purposes or
No Use for Increased Traffic Incl
dent to Heavy Movements of War
Material.

The problem OF road building FOR war
purposes in Virginia was YESTERDAY
taken up directly with President VIII
son by Governor Davis. who has evolved
i pian which contempiaies the con-
Stfucton OF concrete surface roads con-
Meeting Washington with the important
war cehterS OF Virginia
me Governors action is a continu-
atlon OF his original effort begun with
ne ca Hing of the goad roads meeting
mere July J. when representative men
from al parts OF the State gathered
here to foster the movement Ills MAN
now. as then, is to have the Federal
government construct the roads he :
ci""c the commonwealth has not sutfi :
tl'N' FUNDS aNaiiabic to build surfaces
~ snrn q nature that Will stand up
ina"r IN" increased heavy traffic in
''"rh, I" movement OF war material
~ motor truck.
Aions with his appeal to the rresi-
dent the Governor has sent to civic or
CARNATIONS III Richmond Norfolk
Portsmouth. Petersburg. William sburg
trcder!ckSbur@. Newport News and
0ncratc in a vigorous campaign To get
A!rEinia's congress onal delegation be-
hlnd the movement. NJ the same time
ur wrote TO Rear ADMIRAL Ralnh w.
Earle. chief OF the bureau Of ordnance
,"intihS out that roads built by the
state would avail nothing for the
neavy trahic which the viriie prepara-
ZION for war entails"
lslt
ROAD IN KING GEORGE COUNTY
ADMIRAL Earle had written the Gov
trhor asking that he use his influence
|" nave the State construct a wagon
'"au !" reach property recently pur-
chased by the government in King
George County. @
or this the Governor wrote Admiral
..ar!e 'nat IS my desire to COOP
a, n,r YIN NC Federal government in
enr.N WuE IN my power and to do
HirrNihinc Within my constitutjon.I
'",n"F!iN' AS Governor Of Virginia. TO
P,rE me war TO speedy and sue
'SS, "l conclusion. am taking the
matter OF Your request up with the
C"'nniSSioncr o: Highways hut I fool
SATISFIED that there is no state fund
w. ''ah,e Tor building The road TO which
~ I'lc'. earnestly urge. in the
.n'cr'Si OF The winning of the war
ina n" government construct h;rb
NM M; "''Wee'' strategic points in their
MNiialN system OF manutactnrs and
AAlrmcat that would he q. such a ne-
'"h"h' character as 10 render ,-ons
n"r, q ION Dos sihle at all periods OF Inc
80 : an VIII readily understand that
,,"'iS INSTRUCTED hy the state. su;,ahin
or ''S" under ordinary circumstances,
= '',,"> % n"n"c. would avail nothinr
,ne n"aNN traffic which the v!rile
"i'" ratio" for war entails
"oU!h en2ccs that VOL, taI,o th;e
uu"S''"h "f the building of pern,,nnn,
SuIt'!"'e for military purposes in
una. w win the Secretary OF War
"a invc.iis.iion mr i'm sure mat
,M'"n"h the heads OF tho various &c,
m ,..y,i nov in operation in viTsin!a.
WI s.tis'y them OF the necessary ~
~" building bv the Federal au,horities
nose military highways shall he
80 l" e." ANYTHING possible ina, I
or 10 -" 'nn"L.,at" this acton ON the par,
:" nc FEDERAL government. which. Of
course. would be Of crca; benc6, -
nS country after The declaration OF
ON FART or CITIZENS
civic bodies reads: Jus
Alter conference" wiki Tho S.a.a
commissioner Of Highways in June rayt
!on "qu'S,sd him, through the S,a;e
OF hose likely to he Interested in ,ne
tonSirnctbn by the Federal rov.rn
,nEnt Of military highways, connecting
points in Virginia where war ,c;iv;tinc
arc being conducted. and along which
TuchS laden with great uuantiti,s Of
S.orcs arc being operated. This meet
;ms Wn!ch was held IN Richmond carry
IN July and over which presided. was
largely attended ana The surr"s,,nn
met with Immediate rcSDousc ~, ali
haE'ne IN mind the vigorous prosecu-
.i"h VI the war. II was recognized thnt
me railroads were overtaNed and ihnt
lhese highways would render tho ,rmrlt
transportation more mobile and that
me highways would hc Of enoruinu. .,I
restored. -
u am persuaded that earnest and
'ucrSf'Ic action on the part OF the
'i'l"cnS o! your city, led by YOUR or
Ganlzaiion. will in cooperation win
your representative in Congress. secure
me pu!iding Of these highways and |
am writing TO earnestly urge that yot,
take every legitimate step in Your
power 10 create public opinion and 70
arouse The nat ion and Our citizens 70
me expectancy or providing this ml;-
itary neccSSity "
This movement. OF course. should
not be permitted in any way 10 EN-
barrass the Federal administration. bu,
! am persuaded that IL the plan can he
ialriy presented. through the proper
channels; 10 man of the great vision
or our president, that we Will secure
ms approval Should he Ciisapprove for
me period Of the war. the matter
should. OF course, he held in allowance
am writing to impress upon YOU
me Importance OF prompt and visor-
Gus action upon your part: that YOU
may promptly communicate with your
representative In Congress. so that the
many arguments in favor OF the plans
suggested, may. be fairly and fully
placed before the proper Federal au-
thoritics.r