Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-17
a Commisslon for Service. Not POLITICS

A Commission for Service, Not Politics
LAR too many public improvement projects,
i conceived in wisdom and launched with no
other intent than the states general we'll
being. have been ground TO pieces on Vir-
gna's political rocks, to encourage further
experimentation along that uncertain treach-
erous line. Particularly is this true when
Nirginia's good roads system, for which 1t has
worked and waited. hoped and prayed for
years without number. and for which 1t is now
proposed 10 spend many millions OF dollars, is
at stake. So monumental is the task OF pro-
vidins modern highway system, wrapped
up in its successful execution are taxpayers
that any departure from methods proven good
by long usage TO wander afield in political by
paths and possible to menace the whole care
fully prepared plan. inevitably would draw
down the public's wrath and condemnation Of
those responsible for the debacle
All OF which is apropos to the two bills
dealing with the proposed creation Of State
highway commission. One. the Norris-Leedy
bill. is known the Governors measure; the
other. drafted by Senator Goodrich. is spon-
sored by the Virginia Good Roads Assoca-
ton. That such commission, the very
strongest it is possible to obtain, should be
created is not in controversy. Both are
agreed as TO its necessity. But in the manner
OF its creation the bills are at wide variance.
The Governor proposes a commission OF five,
three OF its members to be engineers from the
State educational institutions the other two
to be appointed by the Governor from the
State al large, subject to approval by the
Senate, thus assuring its nonpartisan charac-
ter. The other bill provides for com mission
Of seven, FIVE OF the members to be elected by
the General Assembly, with the Governor and
the Highway Commissioner as e1-oficio mem
bers.
OF the two measures, that sponsored by the
;e 49,
and pronounced sound by comparative study
Of results attained by elective and ap-
pointiye boards in this and other States 1t Is
the Governor, who, in the last, analysis, will
be held responsible for the success or failure
Of the good roads undertaking. To him the
people must look for the perfection Of the ma
chinery which is to carry it through. To hold
him responsible and then to tie his hands by
taking away from him the appontive power.
and. perhaps, packing his road commission
with professional politicians holding Office at
the hands of the Assembly, would be mani
testify unjust, unwise and a dangerous blow
at the very foundation on which the good
roads superstructure is to be erected. Such
diffusion of responsibility could hardly do
otherwise than work to disorder lack of cen
tralized control. and the promotion and en-
enlargement OF inefficency and waste. The
cost to the people In dollars and cents would
wrecking OF their cherished enterprise. The
erection of such an independent department,
with politics for its groundwork and its per
diem the chief incentive to membership, would
he an unfortunate and ill-starred Inauguration
Of the roads-building program, and it is be-
lieved that majority of the members Of the
General Assembly will view it in this light.
Neither is it believed that the Good Roads
Association will press the issue OF an elective
commission when it realizes that its creation
might regard even definitely defeat the
very object for which II has done and still is
doing such magnificent work. With that
point cleared away, the full responsibility
placed on the Governor. where it belongs, and
politics loyalty shunted aside, there Is not
likely TO be any real difficulty in reconciling
The road bills in their financial aspects. That
is matter OF figures to be worked out har-
moniousy by the Assembly from the States
resources and liabilities; the method Of Great
ing the commission is fundamental