The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-01

WASHINGTON, D. c., May IA
late publication issued by the Bureau
Of Pubic Roads of the Department Of
Agriculture, contains an article, his
torical in it's character, OF the origin
md progress of road building in Yves:
Virginia since the state government
took Il hand. 1t will be found to be
iull OF interest for the people Of that
State. 1t IS as follows:
State participation in road and
bridge Improvements in West Virgin
in is of recent origin, limited in amount
although Of state wide scope. State
interest in road Improvement may be
said 70 date from 1907, with the ap-
pointnent of q state highway inspector
who was empowered to investigate the
conditions of the roads throughout the
State and to make recommendations to
the legislature concerning such new
LEGISLATION as in his opinion would be
beneficial.
The office Of public roads, admins
tered by commission of public roads,
with limited supervisory and advisory
duties over road and bridge matters,
was created in 1909 and abolished IN
1911. The State road bureau was cre'
ated in 1913. State financial aid was
not annually extended until 1917 at
which time the State highway depart
ment was recognized and a system OF
State roads was designated. The prin-
cfpal duties Of the state road officers
PRIOR to 1917 were to furnish advice
and SUPERVISION when requested by
the county officials having charge OF
local improvement.
The system of State roads designat-
ed in 1917 comprises about IA per
cent of the total road mileage Of the
State, and will be constructed under
the supervision of the State highway
department.
The main Travelled roads OF West
Virginia comprise about 20 per cent
of the total mileage of the State. and
about one-fourth of these roads, or
1900 miles OF the total, have been I'M
proved by surfacing.
Practically all Of the road improve
ment in the State has been carried out
by the counties which, under the State
law are invested with broad powers
over road work, subject, however, to
limited State supervision.
The state, during 1916, expended
SIC, 1857 for support Of highway de.
partment and the counties expended
about s5,500,000 for road and bridge
Improvement
During 1917 total Of $4,000 was
expended by all road officials Of the
State.
West Virginia is traversed by noun
tain ranges from north to south and
presents difficult problems in road Ia
cation and construction. although, gen.
orally speaking, road material OF good
quality is abundant and in the eastern
and western parts of the State, and is
scarce in the central portion of the
state.
The organization of the road forces
Of the State and the relation existing
between them D. shown on diagram
accompanying this article in the off,
cial publication.
STATE. The state road commission is
composed OF two members appointed
for terms Of four years by the COVER
nor OF the state, with the advice and
consent Of the State Senate. The
members are required to be citizens
and residents Of the State and TO rep
resent the two leading political parties
OF the State. One member Is required
10 be practical civil engineer OF
known business qualifications and who
shall have at least three years respon'
sihle charge of the construction and
maintenance of pubic. roads and high
ways. The other member OF the COM
mission is required to be Of known and
successful business qualifications and
ono member is designated by the gov
ernor ss secretary.treasurer of the
commission.
The commission elects one OF Cts
members es chairman and has the pow
or to select and fix the compensation
OF such assistants, agents or employees
as may be required to carry out its
duties. The commission collects ali
the fees due the state under the mo-
tor vehicle law and chauffeur law. Is
sues licenses therefor, establishes rul.
es and regulations relative to the re
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