The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-16
PLAN Fur BETTER
Virginia ROADS
seventh Annual Session of Association
Meets jn Richmond Attended by
Many Delegates.
ARMY NEEDS GOOD HIGHWAYS
6. r. Coleman Reeemmends Amend
mend OF state Constitution 10 Fms bic
Issuance of Bonds for state High
way.

The seventh annual session Of the
virginia Good Roads association held
the hrst meeting of its three day ses-
sion In the auditorium of durphy's
hotel yesterday, beginning the first ses-
sion at o'clock. The cunventio will
continue through Thursday evening.
large number of delegates from
various parts of the state were present
at yesterdays session. At the after
noon meeting the hall was packed
AT o'clock the delegates enrolled,
totaling about six hundred mon The
regular session was begun at DO o'clock
with President w. C. Saunders in the
chair. the Rev. II. d. c. Maclachlan
making the opening prayer.
Tho address of welcome was made
ny Coleman Workman. president Of the
Richmond chamber of commerce He
expressed the pleasure with which he
welcomed such a progressive body TO
Richmond as the Virginia good roads
men. C. b. Scott. secretary of the as
ISOLATION, responded on behalf or the
association. stating that he hoped this
'ession would give an added impetus
20 tho upbuildlng of the Virginia roads.
H. K Bishop. district engineer. made
an interesting address on Effect Of the
war on Road Improvement" which
proved to be the event of the day.
Mr.. Bishop spoke of the terrible
strain upon the roads of the war zone
nd the important part that they
played In any war and In particular
the present one. He said that as an
army travelled on it's stomach" it was
a safe bet that they had to have good
Dads
Following the address made by Mr.
Bishop was an equally important one
made by Mr., q. p Coleman. commits
s,oner. who said that the time had
arrived when this state should start
4 decided forward movement in road
| matters along definite, we'll defined
Inca.
He strongly advocated the sA .ption
| of the state highway system. N which
tho state highway Is to be built by
the state entirely, and with tho fed
eral aid road funds and an equal
| amount Of state funds He also recon-
mendsd compliance with the federal
| aid road act in that this highway
be maintained by the state
The third recommendation of Mr..
| Coleman was to the effect that the
| counties rhall lay out their highway
| systems. rnd that they construct them
with the aid of such state money and
| convict labor as may be available from
! time to time during the year. THIS
| minor roads In the counties he stated
l
and magisterial districts.
In his address. Mr.. Coleman said that
as long do the present state constitu-
| ton remains unamendec the state cam
! not issue bonds for the construction
! of roads, and that IL is imperr tiv ely
| necessary that the constitution be Sc
| amended If Virginia In to keep abreast
| With the progress of the nation. Pend
| ing the amendment the speaker advised
that a special tax for road improve.
! nent purposes be imposed by tho state
These taxes are to be used for the state
highway construction purposrs, and
then these amounts would form a basis
for the bond issue when the constitu
ton is amended.
We recommend the extension 81 tn.
present convict road force" said Mr
Coleman. ito take in all the able hodiet
prisoners now employed In the stats
penitentiary on contract labor
these men to be used as FAR az possible
to establish permanent quarries grave
pits, or paving brick plants for thu
preparation OF materials for construc'
I ton and maintenance purposes"
In addition TO these recommends.
tions he advocated the allowance OIL
greater discretion in fixing the salaries
OF the employees Of the department
and a revision of the general rose laws
OF the state,
The speaker ended mis- ADDRESS WIZ
an appeal 20 the members OF the as
ISOLATION that they enlist the entire
state IN a spirit of cooperation witt
the department that the country may
have good. permanent roads In times
of war as well as In times ~ peace
which in either case are badly needed
in Virginia.
Il The following is the program for to-
day:
10 o'cloc>--Ma3cr J. b. Wood. vice
president, presiding
Effect of Road Improvement on The
Public Schools" Hon. Harris Hart. gu
perintendent of public instruction
} elect
i Discussion led by Mr.. f. r. copen'
hnver.
Twork Of the Legislative Road Com,
mittee." Hon. @ OConnor Gooirick
| Discussion led by Hon. j. A.. Ci2i,
Brown
Afternoon session. q O'Clock:
Highway Maintenance in Virginia.
g. l. Won Gemminger. engineer oil
maintenance.
\ Discussion.
Highway Improvement In Mary.
land" Hon. n. @. Shirley. chief en-
gineer. Maryland state roads commits.
sion.
Night session. Z o'clock,
i Motion pictures. machine Furnished
by courtesy of G. u. Haynes and com
pmny Second and Broad streets.