Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-18
GEORGE 4. RICK EIs.
NJ A ~, Sno a. T.


Former First Deputy Commissioner OF
Highway state OF New York.
In these days OF motor transit we
are beginning TO Judge states by their
roads. Nirginia's greatest citizen, the
immortal Washington, an engineer OF
ability and accomplishment, interested
and active in improving conditions OF
living in his day. took 4 prominent part
in road development. While we are
still arguing about how road construc-
ton shall be administered we turn
back to Washington and find him rec
ommending that the roads of Virginia
he taken away from the control OF
county courts and given to the state
authorities. We cannot doubt that lie
would approve the comprehensive plan
Of cooperation for highway Improves
ncnt between the Federal government
and the states developed and perfected
in the adm nistration OF another dis
iinSuished Nirginian. President Wood
row Wilson.
Not long after the meeting OF the
first Genera! Assembly, of which the
three hundrcdth anniversary was nit
tingly celebrated last week, we find
tina; laws. were adopted by. the Com.
monwcalth fixing the legal staus OF
highways and establishing ocations.
widths and manner Of building. We
arc not now so much concerned with
the reasons FOR highway unimprove-
mcnt in Virginia aild other states
which followed the Colonial period a :
we are with present-dny problems: or
how hest to finance and build roads in
the most effective way 10 meet new
conditions.
The history of road management, in
this country has been for The mos;
part repetition and an eXagcerat ION
Of the moor local management which
On me 10 us as English precedent. The
best evidence We have Of the incili-
mana eemcn, is the fact that the states
which are really noted for their eN-
cellent highways are those in which
the state government has provided a
system OF state highways
virginia is now about 10 avail Itself
% Federal aid ma 10 undertake the
construction OF state system OF inn
proved roads. From the experience
and especially should their mistakes
hc carefully noted. Perhaps. the
greatest error Of iudcment made by
New York was The issuance OF long
term bonds that run nifty years. or long
after the types Of roads then being
constructed shall have worn out or
The kind Of roadway 10 ne Installed
should he carefully studied and trat-
nc conditions, not only present but
prospective. taken into consideration:
miles Of what seemed tho, best roads
before 1912 only - have them quickly
destroyed by heavy motor traffic
wh;ch came rardly 20 dominate ;he
:
hes; provisions Of the Federal road act
r this, requiring maintenance. In
New York We nov have a bureau OF
the highway dcnartmcnt charged with
the responsibility OF maintaining all
improved roads.
Must Not Make Past Errors.
Whichever method is adopted Tor
raising funds Virginia should now
provide enough money not only 10
fully rlHet Federal appropriations. but
sufficient also 10 adequately support
its highway department. the present
efficient commissioner is, We under
stand assured reappointment. He
should De given every opportunity anu
the necessary means 70 enlarge AM
strengthen his organization, as his
task Will be a difficulty one. \ high
way board that Will relieve the com
missioner of certain administrative
duties will, Al this stage. he Valu-
able hody. \ similar course was pur-
sued in New York during the admins
tra;ions OF Governors Hughes and Dix
covering = period OF eight years. but
in 1918. under Governor Sulzer The
highway law was amended. providing
one commissioner and three deputy
commissioners This organization mas
continued until now.
Urges Civil Service Rule.
The CIVIL service law of New York
has been AN invaluable adjunct T.
highway work, as through the civ.
service examinations all technical arn-
ployees o, this and other dcpartrn. r-s
ar secured. Since the highways ONE
include nae