The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-26
PROBABLY WILL Be
NO EXTRA SESSION

Capitol gossip yesterday makes 1t
more and more apparent that there
probably will be no extra session Of
the general assembly to pass on the
matter of meeting the federal road ap-
preparation for this state. II, how
ever, a majority of the present legis-
laturc express themselves as willing
to commit Itself to a definite plan.
Governor Davis, it is said, Is ready TO
convene that body for immediate
.-1.----.----..l~s7 q y r. ~, $50 & =
A letter was yesterday sent to all
members of the executive committee
OF the Virginia Good Roads associa-
ton for the purpose of informing that
body of the exact status of the matter
and to sound them out as to the ad-
visibility of calling the Legislature by
having them ascertain the sentiments
of the legislators.
There now is available in federal
aid--in cash and provided for in
future appropriations-$5,0 100000 for
roads, which must be met with like
sum on the part of the state in order
to get the money from the federal
government.
The letter, which was sent out by
the association, under the direction OF
President S. L. Lupton, who stated
yesterday that he had had a confer
ence with the governor and State
Highway Commissioner George p.
Coleman. both of whom, he added.
have approved the propositions set
forth:
In accordance with instructions
from the executive committee OF the
Virginia Good Roads association at its
recent meeting in Richmond the reso-
mttons adopted at the meeting have
betn presented to the governor for his
consideration, and desire TO make the
following report as to the present SIT
uation:
After a frank conference with the
governor. the following line of proce-
dure was suggested by him as neces
sary before reaching a decision as &c
the propriety of calling an extra ses
sion of the legislature. To ascertain
definitely the amount of money avail
able for road work in Virginia from
now until January /. 1920, and how
much of this fund can be used in con
junction with the recent appropriation
made by congress, of which approx
mately 100000 Is now available
q How much money is at present II
the state treasury which can be made
available for road work from nov
/ unul January !. 1920, either by trans
| fer, by anticipating revenue to be col
lected this fall. or by direct apDropria
ton by an extra session, IL one Il
called 8. What amount of money car
be efficiently expended in new con
struction on the state highway system
| by the highway commissioner from
now until January /. 1920.
Auditor of public accounts is nov
engaged upon a statement relative t
the amount of money in the stat
treasury to the credit of the vartou
road appropriations. or which can b
] made, available either by transfer Q
anticipating collections to be mad
prior to January l. 1920. and as 500
as his report lis received you Will b
further advised a-..-''
II may say that / find the mind o
the governor entirely open 10 sug
9estions from any quarter in regar'
Ito this most vital matter.
IT shall endeaxer to see to it tina
no time is lost in coming to a con
clusion, and meantime it is respect
fully suggested that you use your bes
| efforts to ascertain the opinion OF a
many of the members of the presen
Legislature as possible in this matter
1T might be serious mistake to ca
a.
without knowing definitely what ths
body would do when it meets in Rich
imond. Due weight must be given I
the fact that a considerable numbe
Of the membership OF the presen
Legislature will probably not be mem
lbers OF the next general assembl,
land. therefore, 1t would be wise
submit to each member of the preser
body a specific program and ask fror
each positive declaration for @
!against such program.
I'm view of the fact that any IA
levy made at a special session woul
I not provide available funds befor
next December the following Is sus
gested as a tentative program for tn
proposed extra session: First A
Emergency appropriation should b
made from the public treasury. Of a
Eamount sufficient to meet the feeders
aid now available, say s1,oo0.00'
jSecond direct tax OF one and
InAif mis- on All Taxabie vaines IN IN
state, the proceeds to be used for cor
! struction work on the state highwa
system in connection with federal all
Third An increase of so per cent
J the automobile tax. Fouth. TIL
} state treasury to be reimbursed froi
the direct tax to the extent OF tn
emergency Appropriation.
III working majority OF eac
house OF the general assembly cann'
be committed to some such program
: would be useless for the governor
call them together. Attention migf
be drawn to the fact that without a
extra session, an unusually heaN
burden would necessarily fall upon II
next regular session TO provide rune
. for the entire federal appropriate
and that at best Virginia would thl
be one year behind in her road prt
. gram, which condition would be di
, .ficult If not impossible to remedy. b'
, in order to avoid misleading the pull
Nc as to the facts it should be def
. nitely understood that there Is 7
, probability of losing any part OF II
. federal appropriation by. failure to ca
AN extra session provided the ne
; regular session promptly make, u
: necessary provision to raise the needle
/ amount. which will be approximate
: ts5.0O0,000. 1t might also be well
provide for giving employment
labor. which seems to be abundant
certain sections of the state at IN
time and which might not be avail
able for road work at a later period.
TT may interest YOU to know q
actly the amount of governme
FUNDS, which will be available betwet
kuow n nd July H. 1891. and which nu