The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-20

our previous patch work road system.
we should also condemn our present
patch work local and county road
laws.
your committee therefore Joins
with the state highway conmias or
in recommending that the general
road law OF tine state be revised to
meet modern conditions aud all coun-
ties OF the state be compelled to work
under the state road law.
Your committee feels that the pro-
gram herein outlined cannot be sue
cessfully prosecuted unless the high
way commiss oner, himself, and his
employees are given salarIes common
surate with the services they per-
fotm ana equal to that paid Tor .simi-
lar services by other states. The
present insistent demand for trained
engineers. both at home and abroad,
makes IT impossible to secure compe-
tent when at the salaries now allowed
by law, and your committee asks you
to demand immed ate action by the
legislature In THIS behalf. as otherwise
our whole program is likely to result
in failure for lack OF proper scIsn
tific supervision.
Need Great in War Time.
The continued construction and
maintenance OF the public highways
Of the country is becoming iucreas-
ingly necessary to the successful con-
duct of the war, and in he present
condition 0f railway transportation, II
is difficult to formulate 'efirite plans
for highway work for the coming
year,
The national government owing to
the serious congestion OF oar present
transportation facilities, having taken
over the control Of all railways. II
appears to your committee a ueces-
sary procedure for the federal au
fhorities TO indicate a. soon As pos
sihle their attitude towards road con-
struCtion for the coming year 20 the
end that additional means be provided
to supplement our already overbur-
dened railroads. and our road authori-
ties enabled to act with a reasonable
degree OF certainty that transporta-
ton viii be furnished for such road
material as may be needed. especially
upon main highways likely to be
W dely used for industrial traffic thus
releasing railway equipment for nee
esSary military purposes In accord
ance With the suggestion Of the Amer
lean Association Of State Highway
Ohcials
'Youf committee desires to call
your attention 70 growing practice
throughout The state tending TO IN
CT ease the criminal expenses and de-
crease the availa bic convict labor for
road work. We refer to the unneces-
sary delay in sending parties convict
ed OF minor offensea to the nearesy
convict road force, holding such per-
sons in the local jais at heavy ex-
penss to the state until the time re-
naming for employment on the roads
Will hardly Justify the expense of
transportation from Jail 10 a place of
employment. and we earestly recon-
mend the legislature TO take appro-
! pirate steps to correct this situation
as far as may be possible consistent
with the rights OF the individuals con-
cerned, and In this connection we
wish TO call especial attention to the
action of this association at Norfolk
| in its recommendations that all the
| able bodied conviCts be employed on
! the state roads and In view of a re-
! ported deficit IN the maintenance OF
the state prison. we again urge such
action by the general assembly as will
result In the employment of ali such
convicts In some form OF road work.
using the long term and dangerous
men in permanent quarries or gravel