Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-14
Virginia Alive to the Times

lust as il was expected that he would do
J when he appeared in person before the
Joint session of tho Virginia General Assem-
bly, yesterday. Governor Westmoreland Davis
talked frankly of the States dircful need OF
good roads and with engaging straightfor
wardness discussed his own position In the
endeayor to obtain them. While an ardent
advocate OF an improved highway system, the
Governor did not believe that this special
session. OF the Assembly was necessary In
order TO meet the Federal offer OF aid, to
secure the benefit OF an increased automobile
tax, or. in brief, that 1t would in any degree
advance the good roads problem towards q
solution. For that reason, as he stated to
the Assembly. he declined to call tho special
session. he had no apologies to offer for his
attitude. and he is unconverted from his be-
lief that the present session is unnecessary.
However, the members of the Assembly. hay
ing failed to view the road question in the
same light and having called themselves to-
gether, he promised his utmost cooperation
in the great work that lies before them. That
cooperation the Assembly felt assured OF
even before the Governor gave voice to the
promise.
The Governor, interested as always in the
farmer and the rural districts. stressed the
poin. that the county roads should be looked
after as the important feeders OF the high
way system and not neglected for the main
arteries of traffic. In this connection he voiced
his disapproval OF the Federal aid plan as
totally Inadequate expressing the firm belief
that the Federal government should build
out OF its own treasury great national trunk
lines which would be available for military
purposes in time OF war and thus relieve
the several States OF great part OF their
road burden. To this end he asked the AS
sembly 10 memorabilia Congress for the
passage of the pending national highway bill
He also warned against the onerous burden
that the increased tax rates might prove to
the people OF Virginia in the years to come
AS the first step in his promised co-opcra-
ton for the fullest measure Of good roads
building in which the people shall receive a
dollar in value for every one of their dollars
expended, he spoke forcibly against the suE-
seston that the office of Highway Commits
sioner be made elective. He sees in that
dangerous decentralization of power with a
resultant waste of hundreds of thousands of
dollars OF the peoples money and all for
selfish and partisan political purposes an
evidence OF invisible government
very briefly, but earnestly, the Governor
touched on the need for antitrust LEGISLATION
urging on the Assembly that it enact ade-
quate laws for the curbing of the conscience
less profteers, as he had recommended in his
inaugural address These. and good word
LOT the schools, always his especial interest
and word OF caution that they must not be
neglected in the care provided for them we're
the only subjects touched on by the Governor
and 1t is presumed that no others will be
considered by the Assembly
AS an open and honest exposition of his
beliefs on the matters discussed, his homes
and his fears, as showing his earnest advocacy
OF good roads, while keeping the welfare of
the people OF Virginia closest to his heart
the Governors address able and fearless
ana IN strict keeping with his theme Let
Virginia be alive to the times"