Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-01-25
ROAD SYSTEM
TO BE CHANGED
Bill Before the Legislature Will
1naugurate New Scheme of
Work That Will Help The
Counties in Large Way.
(Contributed.)

committee. recommending q system
Of State highways covering $500
miles of tho principal roads in tn,
State, and connecting practically ev.
cry county seat in the State with tn,
larger cities, has met with general
approval throughout the State. The
road from the Russell county line
through Tazewell county to Graham
about 40 milcs. is included in the
State system.
The plan proposed is for the State
to take over and complete the CON
struction Of the State highways, and
to maintain hem ns constructed, en-
tirely with State funds. under the
State supervision, without help from
the counties, thus leaving all county
funds for other roads and purposes.
a further system of County roads is
proposed, to embrace the main county
roads not in the State system, and
to be constructed and maintained un-
der county supervision, with State
and county funds.
1t is proposed to increased the au-
omobile license tax from 40 to Soc
per horse power, and to use the au-
Lomobile license funds for the main-
tenance of the State system, by the
State; and the balance, so far us
needed, to be used in tho mainte-
nance of the county systems, by the
counties, the counties being required
to contribute an equal amount on
the county systems, and the residue
to be used in constructing the State
system. Other local roads, known ms
Glass G roads, to be constructed and
maintained entirely by the counties.
This plan is good. The State High
way Commission constructs and il
maintains the Stat roads, with the
State funds entirely. Tho State helps
the counties with funds to construct
and maintain the county roads, but
the counties do the work without
State supervision. The State mp
proves the roads to be included in
the county systems.
The result in Tnzewell county will
be rs follows. Tho county with the
State convict MD, has constructed
about 32 miles of macndam road and
has graded three miles additional be-
tween Tazewell and Bluefield. The
State will macadamize this three
miles and grade and mncadamize the
five miles next to the Russell line at
cost of approximately $4,000.
The State will Mt once take over
the 3 miles of macadam road and
maintain the same with State funds,
and The other eight miles will be
maintained by the State as construct.
ed. This maintenance will cost from
$500 to $500 per mile per year, or
about $4,000 per year. In addition
the Stae will mid Tazcwell county in
constructing and maintaining other of
the principal ronds in the county.
Estimating the assessed value Of
.Tazewell county exclusive of rail
roads, at s10,000,00O, the tax payers
of Tazewell county will pay about
$4,000 per year under the 10 cent
levy, and while the State mainte-
nance of the State roads will go on
forev it is estimated that the en-
tire state system will be constructed
in ten years, when the % cent levy
will be taken Off.
How is it possible for Tazcwell
county to expect the State spend
$4,000 in completing the construc-
tion of the State road, and $4,000
per year forever, TO maintain the
same, and pay only $4,000 per year
for ten years in return? Because Of
$1,277 600 produced each year by the
ten cent levy the cities, towns and
corporations will pay approximately
$850,000 and the counties only $427,-
900 Richmond alone will pay $685.
900 per year. or S2,080,0O0 in ten
years.
Every tax payer in Tazewell coun-
ty should Immediately write to Hon.
Henry Harman and Senator Royal,
Richmond, Va, TO vote and work for
the State road plan the 10 cent
levy, in addition to the regular ap-
preparation for roads and to take all
the able bodied convicts out of the
penitentiary and put them on the
road work.
HENRY ROBERTS,
Chairman Bristol Board of Trade.