Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-19
WILL ACT AS FINAL ARBlTER
IN SELECTING STATE ROUTES
Subcommittee to Embody These
Recommendations in Single
Highway Measure.
OPPOSITION TO PROFESSORS
Roads and Navigation Body Would
Grant Virginia's Chief Executive
Wide Appointment Authority.

BY a vote of to ., the joint sub
committee on Roads named to re-
port out a bill creating and defining
the duties of State highway COM
mission, will recommend to the main
body this morning that the proposed
commission OF five members be ap-
pointed by the Governor subject to
confirmation by the Senate.
1t was also the final decision OF the
subcommittee that the State Highway
Commissioner should select the routes
TO be followed between designated
points in the state system OF roads:
provided. however. that. in case OF
contests over the action of the COM
missioner. the commission itself should
iinally decide location OF the roads.
In the matter OF apportioning funds
used in construction OF the system
the. Highway Commissioner is given
authGir;ty in the pin, 70 be recon-
subject 10 the approval OF the com
Chairman Breaks Tic.
Delegate Brown. chairman of the
body, broke the tie upon the question
OF having the commission appointive
/ by the Governor. the two other votes
n the aifiTmaiiye rr;a, having been cast by
| Robertson, and Delegate tiilp!n favor
election oy, the General Assembly and
ine ine subcommittee. Delegate Henley
did not vote upon the question.
Ihis action was taken at meeting
last night.
differences Of opinion upon the ere
ation OF a State highway board. des-
me 10 play large part in the con-
mad seemed to have dwindled down
prac ctically TO one point only, and that
pellate or original Jurisdiction in the
decision OF questions pertaining to the
distribution OF funds and the selection
OF routes between desi ignated places
There was displayed yesterday af-
, .ernoon at a meeting OF the joint Com
mdttee Iidn on Roads and Internal Naviga-
the Governor should have the power
10 appoint members OF the board one
divisions OF the state, Subject 10 the
confirmation OF the Senate.
Goolrick for Appointments
,bs senator hit Goolrick himself, who drew
Association, providing for the election
OF these men by the Legislature came
66ut positiveiy for their appointment
Trinkle. co-patron OF the measure.
Botn of them. however. opposed the
Governors plan to have the board con-
stituted as an appellate tribunal only.
SO convinced were the two commit
Lees. lees OF oIie. the senate and House that
ence OF opinion upon the question OF
IN. me = highway board that Senator
joint session snxa in whe the Ra RPaeSiaed of ,hs at
House of Delegates. named a subcom
mittee from each branch. who viii
meeting with view of reporting out
only one measure for the consideration
Tb,s III she Thenerai Assembly as whole.
senators Robertson. Trinkle and West
s;iin,o anI OF 3shisgales hs iii, srowm Henley and
commttce this morning at 10 o'clock.
istinct opposition cropped out at
Governor that the professors of civiI
eng lheerins at he University, the Vir-
sim;a i:imia Military institute and the Vir-
reason OF their Offices become three of
he five members of the board 1t was
practically unanimous that the chief
executive be given the Widest authnr.
Ity in selecting the personnel of the
BOARD. $" long as he will give each
tativc.
board or Commissioners.
:; Ano,nrr point frequently discussed
Is Whethcr the board or the State High
way Commissioner should he desi~-
mated TO decide hnaliy upon the tvDc
OF ,h construction TO be used in building
Coleman. who made a brief statemenf
before the committeeman was nositiye
IN his belief that the commissioner and
nobody else should he charged with tho
duty of selecting the type, since this
iS primarily the work Of Il Technically
,r,inGd civil engineer. and not that OF
able they might be.
In reply to question propounded
JolhtiF DN senators Harding Walker and
Henry Roberts. MIR Coleman declared
his work in deciding the engineering
fca lures OF the highways is ALWAYS
subject 10 check by engineers of tie
Federal government
Ihe commissioner was equally Ger
tain that he does not favor an appcaI !
TO the highway board. or an appeal
from mat body, in case ii is given or!gi- |
ma jurisdiction. in the matter or al |
lotmcnt of funds. lie is not so anxious
about the appeal question in the prob !
lem or selecting routes. though his idea
Is tina; the commission should have
Original jurisdiction in the matter
Governor Has Open Mind.
Governor Davis told the committee
that he is not welded to the snCges |
tion he made to have the professors
OF civil engineering serve on the high |
way board. but he would be Inclined
to appoint men of technical traininr
who have not been so intimately con
nected with the political life of the
state.
lie declared that his sole interest In |
sponsoring any suggestion is the hest |
interests OF the State--to get better
highways and to secure "A wise cxpcndl- !
ture OF the money To be used for that |
PURPOSE. Tic favors tho blending OF
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