Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-18
BUILD ROADS At ONCE,
IS OBJECT, SAYS ROBERTS
Highway Chairman Of Bristol Bust
ness Mems Organization Ex-
presses His Views.
WHAT TAXPAYERS EXPECT
Unless Sufficient Levy Is Fixed to
Give Satisfactory Results, Writer
Asserts, Dissatisfaction and Criti-
ciSm VIII Follow.
by HENRY ROBERTS.
Highway Chairman, DrIntoI Cham


OF Commerce.
The Legislature Is in session for the
express purpose OF meeting the Fed
eral aid funds and the State Highway
situation generally, so as 10 build
State highways at once.
The taxpayers expect the Lcsisla-
ture to levy sufficient taxes TO accom-
plsh this purpose
When the taxpayers pay their taxes,
they will assume that the Legislature
has levied sufficient taxes to meet the
situation and build the State highways
without delay or excuse.
Success needs no encomiums and
, failure cannot be explained" and the
failure Of the Legislature to levy Sufli :
cient taxes to give satisfactory results
during the next two years means dis
satisfaction with the State highway
| situation and criticism OF the mem
bcrs Of the Legislature.
Assuming that fair ratio obtains
between the two subjects Of taxation,
the greater the amount raised by taxa
( ton the better satisfaction may be
given
a "pikinE' plan will no, give salts
fac,ion-the people demand better
roads right now. and are ready and
willing to pay for them.
There are 100000 taxpayers in the
State. Less than 100000 OF them own
automobiles. and are able TO pay the
taxes. and will save more in tires and
repairs, due to improved roads, than
they will pay in taxes.
The Federal government has Si,113.-
l6l for building State highways in
Virginia during the next two years,
Labor. by Secretary w. b. Wilson, has
sent thousands of posters throughout
the State urging the people TO use this
money and build now The national
ed" and good roads! Build them
now and see how quickly good times
will roll down the roads"
Governor Davis proposes to match
this fund in four years. not to build
now. but only when the funds must
be used or lost. In HIS letter 10
Senator Corbi,t. refusing TO call the
special session Governor Davis would
sue. so that the members would go
boldly TO the performance OF their
duty The people demanded action
now. The Legislature conyened IT.
self and will, believe, go boldly TO
the performance OF it's duty"
II.-Incontrovertibie Figures
credit OF Virginia now amount, N
The ;i.y!s.ooo to be collected
from the proposed Is cents
ds d 10 and De '1 eoiIee a"f i from i TIE
ITOnOEcd
The 1890 automobile tax will
I amount TO ..........-...... ZS2s.ooo W
! Leaving Federal funds un- .,
matched June 80. 1920. e fe+obs 90
! Tn. Federal aid available July =,
]. 1890. Is. ................-. i'set.ioo w
matched July !. 1920. ..sz,45s.ls1 90
! Tho 1920 Is cents tax and the
1921 20 cents increase In auto
This Will amount to- . cs2s.coo 90
/ ,uro,,,.
ir money June 90. is.i. Of l5o.iel 90
the Federal aid for 1921. But
tha Highway Commissioner
must have for preliminary
surveying expenses. freight
government machinery. op.
rating expenses and for
surfacing work for the next
TWO years. At least. 10000 GO
So the total deficit July J..
1921 will be. ss3.lel 90
We propose to meet this deficit
by increasing the automobile
license tax from 40 cents to
80 cents tinstcad Of COD per
horsepower. and the addi-
tional 30 cents for 1920 and
producing :.... SOC. 900 90
Thus meeting the Federal funds
! cd