Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-11
SYSTEM OF ROADS
FOR WHOLE STATE
Commission Proposes Compre-
hensivc Plan of Connect
ing Highways.
WILL RECEIVE FEDERAL AID
Use of Convicts Only on State
Roads Is Recommended.
Report Is Filed.

a comprehensive plan for thorough
Decentralization OF the States high
ways through which funds provided
by the Federal Aid act Will be made
available for road construction In Vir-
ginia is contained in the report Of the
commission appointed by the 1916
Legislature TO outline State Highway
system Yesterday made TO the General
Assembly by Senator c. oConor Cool
ricS, chairman of the commission.
The commission recommends the in
corporation Of only $500 OF the 1000
miles Of Virginia public roads into the
system, for the reason. II states. that
the best interes: Of the Commonwealth
as whole will be served through per-
mancntly improving those highways
most important TO the States COM
merce. North and south and east and
west highways arc suggested to con-
meet with those Of contiguous states
for the reason that these are most
needed for marketing and for tourist
travel. ~ far as is practicable. the
roads recommended connect with cities,
towns and county seats.
ELIGIBLE FOR SHARE
IN FEDERAL ROAD AID
Ey following the suggestions out
lined, il il pointed out the State
would Immediately become eligible for
participation in tho Federal Road Fund.
Seven hundred thousand dollars would
come from this source in this and next
year. This sum would have TO be sup
plemented by an equal sum from the
state. 1t IS suggested that this be
raised through bond Issue. The entire
sum accruing from motor licenses. II
is rcconlnlc ndcd. should be devoted to
maintenance. These licenses now pro-
vide a revenue of about $500, 600 a year.
Three bills cmbodyinG some of tho
recomm endations of the commission
were yesterday introduced by Senator
/ Goolrick. They are a part OF series
OF many which viii appear from time
10 time until every rccomme ndation Is
put before the General Assembly.
TEXT OF REPORT
OF, moan COMMISSIONERS
The report follows:
In making the selection of the roads
hereinafter sct forth aud shown on
the map which accompanies this re-
port as a part hereof. your committee
justice among the counties OF the State
so far as same was possible without
damage to tic interest of ihe Com
monwealth itself. In the opinion OF
your committee, il is impossible in
the formulation Of such a system as
| is proposed to mako any allotment OF
mileage TO the several counties in pro-
portion, either to their area. popula-
ton. taxable values or any other ques-
tion CT a similar kind. for the reason
that the system in question must be
adopted with tho view of advancing
the interest Of the State at large
rather than that of any subdivision
, Thereof.
VIC have selected those roads for
inclusion in said system. the construc-
tion and maintenance OF which will
bring, in our opinion, the greatest
, benefit to the largest number of our
people. 1t will be observed from the
accompanying map that the system
recommended consists of north and
south and east and west roads, trav-
ersins in most instances the entire
length and breadth OF the State, and
connecting with sirnilar main trunk
highways in the adjoining States OF
Maryland. West Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Kentucky and Tennessee This
system connects the cities. towns and
county seats of the State, so far as
practicable. and when it's construction
| is completed will furnish ready and
easy communication between import
ant points in Virginia and will AFFORD
to the farmers OF the State conven-
lent markets and ready access thereto
MILLIONS no BE DIsTRIBUrED
BY TOURISTS OVER GOOD ROADS
| Whils your committee. as stated
above, has sought to recommend a
system for Virginia which will connect
with those OF adjoining States, yet we
wish TO make it clear that our princi-
| pal desire has been to incorporate In
SAID system those roads which appear
to us to be OF the most Importance to
our own people. At the same time we
wish to emphasize the Importance of
Continued on Second Pare1