Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-02


whereby with lcss labor and smaller
investment they secure greater returns
Tor their labor. should have our un-
qualified support. have pledged my
self TO aid these primary. schools and
the teachers in their great work
am deeply impressed with tho import
ance of agricultural extension cndeavor.
ana commend to your Legislative gem
crosby those educational activities.
state Highways.
Tho development OF tho automobile
VIII rcvolutionize transportation, and
what great canal and highway systems
In continental Europe arc as natural
regulators OF railway freight rates
wcll-devcioped highway systems viii
prove In this country. These highways
| VIII not only regulate traffic rates but
VIII Feed common carriers to their
| profit. II Is needless TO discuss further
| the benefits 10 be derived from better
hisnwaYs; everybody wants them-thc
problem is how best they can be So
cured.
In my opinion the State should estab-
liSh and develop a system of State
/ roads appropriations should be made
10 render available corresponding an
preparations by tho Federal govern
ment: the question should be submitted
10 'hc people whether they will amend
the constitution SO that AN adequate
! 1und may be derived from the sale Of
state bonds for the construction OF !,
comprehensive highway system The
! discussion Of road building at two Sos
slohs OF the General Assembly OF which
one "oulu be elected upon the issue
followed by submission to the pconlo
VIII prove of great educational value
anu enable the people at the polls TO
pass finally upon the question Then
no doubt. the war will have terminated
anu inc price of material and labor will
nave been adjusted to the normal
The building Of n system OF high
ways is vast undertaking: it Involves
the expenditure OF a great sum OF,
money. and at this time the prosecution
cl inc WORK suggests questions OF high
cost OF material and labor, possible in
terfcrcncc with farm labor. and the
distribution OF the fund available in
me making Of roads in .hc various
parts OF the State. Tho road law should
provide for supervisory action on tho
part of tho Governor or constituted
commission. to serve without co,npcn-
saton. which would. or could, tenn
porariiy suspend the operations OF the
act IN case. curing the war conditions
should arise not at this time contem-
plated. With this safeguard we should
address ourselves u; once 10 the task
OF building State system of highways
, We have discussed tho matter from
( every angie. What We need now is
action.
All the convicts or the State shou,d
he engaged In road building and should
not. except in peculiar instances. he
the Subjcct OF contract The good "a
nc derived from their work on tho
roads viii far outweigh the nront to
ne had from system that is vicious.
IN principle.
The presen, Federal provision for
road building Is petty and unsatisfytnR
when tho needs OF our rural communal
ties arc considered. IN the :as, CT.
pcnditurcs incident 10 preparedness and
10 'hc prosecution Of the present war.
where billions q: dollars arc 10 be
spent, system OF postal and military
roads should he built by tho Fedora,
government. These are necessary "a
the mobile action Of armies in war and
essential TO tn" happiness and pro.-
pcfiiy OF our People in peace when
our soldiers shall have ACCOMPLISHED
ne freedom Of the world and cgi,h
hShcd trtu'nphan; democracy. when
"hips or war and guns have become
ohSosc:c. these roads wound remain 4,
'naEnihccnt monument 10 tho states.
manShip OF our leaders and a blessing
70 our people and 20 their postcri,v
The Virginia General Assembly should
lead tn" states ~ memoriaIizinE tho
,o"S' re-" upon rms importan, subject.
Ei'crion by tho icopIe.
Eiiis have bocn introduced IN both
branches OF the General Assemble oro-
vidins for the election of members of
The CORPORATION Commission ~ Tho
people. Al present members OF this
commission arc named by the Governor
| pom many occasions before GATHERINGS,
of my fellow -citizcns ! have earnestly
urged this progressive movement and
At my suggestion the Virginia State
Farmers Institute then adopted rc.o.
iutions favoriuG tho election of tho
members Of this commission b. tho
people. In an address delivered hc foro
the Farmers state Institute nj c,,u,
ton. | said
liz providing. nov for Corpora.
ton Commission and the appointment
OF It's individual members by the COY.
. cFnor subject 10 the confirmation Of
the General Assembly in Joint session,
, n"heHe they icon tt!tw,ional convcn-
ii"h' made grave mistake. Indeed.
| ",n satisfied tina, they had doubt.
upon the subject because they provide
for the election after thc lst OF Jan
uar%, zoos, q the members ~ the com.
mission hy .iie qualified voters OF the
state.
And again.
Gentlemen. o. the Farmers Institute.
YOU must sec 10 l. that the future NOM
hers of the Corporation Commission arc
elected by the people. You must sec 10
h - i'dl N1tu VINO nave 10 do with Nour
most intimate affairs and decide oues-
! IONS which mean for your happiness
ana prosperity arc responsible TO you
and must renic: to YOU at the end Of
their term Of Office an accounting If
thcE again SOCK your confidence. VIC
eject Governor. NC elect tho Legisla-
turc, and yet by some psychological
process. by some fctich OF the mind
these creatures Of ours arc endowed
with supernatural power which VIC are
! tpiu we do not possess.
What argued for s president OF tho
FARMERS institute reitcrate as Gov
ernor. urge The election Of the Cor
noratlon Commission by the people: and
TINS principle accepted. | further urge
the election Of the Supreme Court of
| Appeals by the people. This latter can
be accomplished by amendment Of tho
constitution. and am pleased that
niil mas been prepared along this line
! Tor introduction at this session.
There arc three Grand divisions of
government = judicial executive and
leGislativc-which are coordinate and
10 oNl -