Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-14


should be given the Governor" the
com mission argued. in urging that
the Governor should be the business
as in name"
The people" the commission said.
look to the Governor to get results.
choice OF executive when they elect
him. Under the failacy OF conserving
INC peoples rights through the cleo
ton OF minor administrative officers
by popuia. vote, the peoples business
becomes mere plaything Of petty poll
iticians. The Commission on Economy
and Efficiency believes that the power
OK appointment control and removal
Of all administrative officers should be
vested. as far as possible. in the Gov
ernor. Better government and greater
efficiency in tho public service will be
assured by limiting the number OF
elective administrative officials and
hinistrative powers with the Gov
ernor. and vcsting all legislative func-
tons and the power. to make appro-
priations in the popularity elected Cen
cral Assem- bly,"
FavOrr Highway Department.
The people of Virginia want roads
they want dollars worth OF good
roads. too. for every dollar spent. our
better roads. and now when at last We
have an opportunity to secure them We
must not jeopardizc the enterprise by
i 10. .;nss, the seductive fakements OF
organization OF the State Highway
Commission should. therefore. not DC
undertaken along reactionary lines
which already have proven inefficient
and unsatisfactory in our State and
which have been rejected in nearly
every other progressive State in the
union. further decentralization Of
the state government by the establish
mcnt OF An uncontrolled and indepen-
dent highway department means one
thing only-the wasting Of thousands
OF dollars of the States funds and the
prostitution Of the good roads move
men, for selfish partisan political pur-
poses.
recommend. therefore. that there
be created state Highway Depart
ment to be under the direct supervi
sion and control of a State Highway
Commissioner, who shall be appointed
By the Governor, subject TO tlic APP
proval Of tho Senate. and who may be
neglect of duty. The other officials
and employees OF the department.. au-
thorizcd by tho General Assembly in
the budget. should be appointed by the
commissioner subject 10 removal by
him at pleasure
Final Authority TO hoard,
To assist the commissioner in his
work recommend that there also be
established a State highway board of
Eve members. composed OF the pro-
University of Virginia the Virginia
Military institute and the Virginia
AE5icultural and Mechanical College
n" f 4na the
State at large by the Governor. sub
2Sct TO the approval Of the Senate.
ceive per diem and their actual ex-
penses when engaged on official bust
ness the hoard should not be given
state Highway Department. but should
be constituted technical advisory
body to assist the commissioner.
The board also should be vested with
questions OF appeal involving the loca-
ton Of routes to he followed and tyne
eral roads included in the stat high
way system which may be appealed
by county or city officials or taxpayers
from the decisions of the State High
way Commissioner. The decisions Of
the board in such matters should be
The needs OF the State Highway De-
partment and of the board should be
PROVIDED for by the General Assembly
IN IN me me biennial budget. which should
hss the salary Of the commissioner and
MS assistants and provide for the com
pensat i9n Of the necessary employees
OF OF IN, me S aepartme II: The reorganization
these lines will be in accordance VIII
me me, progressive spirit OF Virginia. and
Union. VI the
Speaks of Federal PInns.
~ course all Federal aid should he
taken advantage Of. but so long as
tween the States Of Federal monev "i in
ain or State road building obtains
a w1rn trFospscit i increases in the
Viii be strain upon the State treas
ury 70 match the Federal MONEY ara
er,w WI, be difficult for the state prop
tnoSe included in the established Stata
highway system state
IN my inaugural address I said:
road building is petty and unsa1ist,.
ing when the needs or our rursI no.,
e e,uM,,lGS are Gonsidered. In the vast
ana a, 10 the prosecution OF the nresen,
val Val where billions OF dollars are 70 he
roads psds sho system Of postal and military
government. These are necess, Guerra
me mobile Sction OF armies in Var an 10
perjtV al to- to the haPpiness and pros
The constitutioh 'e Of n tba pe 1885,
contemplates the building hr ~ "I E,
so oh1 go sovernment OF post roads T rb
ssoHn.Ty read had P By lien F II nj;
government building a system Of i nta
the SIZE nishW Srs as trunk lines. leaving
as county highways" 7, AN .nereto
tT,hli lis fun duty when it co noes not
Hons ,oe' per cent OF the cost az noe
highway sv rst we now term our state
co nr9re is nov pending before N.
hi. resS,,. OH which will effec,us,e
shn,, Jesuit and the General Assemdi..
S Snouid in my opinion. memor e'P!s
struc,ion d ier the adoption and con-
fem ne''oh or National Highway Svs-
I'll, Urge. Anti-Trust Lnu,
in 1.s nu,lding Of a system Of roads
viii Die time by direct tayatinn
WI prove onerous in the eytrame On -.
of 1d reopre, and the General Assembly
an a,nen must submit to the electorate
.i "nenoment to the Cons,i,ution ~
me me state which will auihorize e" ,h S6
Tha nee or bonds for road building
ne people OF Virginia can then de.
oiue whether they wish 10 build roads
The s,one or whether they will continue
The ca,sp process which now obtains.
rer PAD teachers also is very near 10
ny hear{, and have been glad TO find
.nat d mil tax. coupled with the IN
per cent increase in the automobiie
meet saS l Or construction. Will sunice to
in mind at the next session ~ "a ihe
General Assembly an equal provision