Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-08-14
SPECIAL Session
II. Of LEGISLATURE
Virginia General Assembly
Conyenes on Road
Question
DAVIS AT OPENING
Disregards Precedent And Reads Mes
sage .Himself-"Booste Parade
For Improved Highways.

Richmond, Va, Aug 14-Appear-
ing in person before joint special
session of the General Assembly yes
terday Governor Davis read his mes
sage to the assembled lawmakers.
At the outset the Governor briefly
reviewed the reasons why he had not
called the assembly, but added that
he did not speak in criticism and pro-
missed hearty cooperation in the good
roads program.
He argued against the establishment
of an uncontrolled and independent
highway department. He recommend
ed the creation of State Highway
Department under the direct control
of a State Highway Commissioner,
appointed by the Governor, subj,ct
to approval of the Senate, and who
may be subject to removal for in
efficiency or neglect. Other officials
and employees of the department au-
thorized by the Assembly should be
appointed by the highway commits
s;oner and subject to remova! by the
commissioner.
To assist the commissioner by ad-
vice and otherwise, but to have no ad-
ministrative powers, the Governor re-
commended the creation of a State
Highway Board of five, to consist of
a member of the faculty
of the University of Virginia, men,
Der from the Virginia Military IN
stitute and member from the Viz
ginia Polytechnic Institute, and two
members appointed by the Governor
from the State at large. This board
would be empowered to hear and de-
termine all appeals as to routes of
roads and types of construction
The Governor reiterated his we'll
known opinion that under the Consti-
tuition it is the duty Of Congress to
build post roads Interstate trunk
lines) wholly at the expense of the
Federal Government, leaving to the
States the building Of feeders or coun-
ty highways. The fifty-fifty act of
Congress does not meet with this ap-
proval. Expressing as his opinion that
Congress eventually will proceed rs
the Constitution requires, the Cav
crnor advised the Legislature to me-
morialize Congress for construction of
national highways system.
The Governor touched on the sub
ject of better schools and better paid
teachers. In this connection he said
that he was glad that mill tax and
80 per cent. increase in, the automo-
bile tax will suffice to meet the Fed
eral road offer. adding:
81 have in mind at the next scs-
sion an equal provision for better
schools and better paid teachers
The Governor urged upon the spe-
cial session the enactment of anti
trust and cold-storage control bills,
which are now in preparation.
Heretofore it has been customary
for executive messages to be trans
mitted to the House and Senate and
10 be read by the clerks. Action on a
resolution restricting legislation to
good roads measures was deferred
until today.
A parade was held by good roads
enthusiasts, who had motored here
from all sections CT the State ,to I'M
press on the Legislature the necessity
for improving highways. The run Of
the "boosters" to the capital started
from the more distant sections day
before yesterday, and hundreds CT
cars had arrived by yesterday to take
part in the demonstration.
The State is not entirely a unit
however no the matter, dissatlsfac'
ton having been voiced in some place:
over proposed plans for locating roae
DanviIlc. which at first was enthu
siast!c. refused to take part in th'
demonstration, on the ground that tn!
section around the city was not allot
ted enough Of proposed construction