Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-18
\ Ncyer.Ending Controversy

n 5 old as the ages and rs intermnablc
Z as time is the conflict between the few
and the many. The justice Of doing what
will confer the greatest good on the greatest
number is not controverted in theory but
in practice human nature is selfish and the
broad results OF general policy too often
are sacrificed in the scramble Of various
groups for Immediate, even if petty results
Virginia today is witnessing another in its
never-endfng series OF group VS. public
struggles. in the division OF its good roads
funds. Since Virginia has been a State the
group, or community idea. has, until re-
Gently, been dominant in the Improvement
OF Its roads. No one can even estimate how
many millions of dollars have been literally
thrown away by building short stretches OF
road or patching up old ones here and there
win no view 10 general and comprehen-
SlVe state program. The public disgust over
the e3travagant waste and the resultant
miserable roads in recent years brou ght
ABOUT change of sentiment and the demand
Tor State system of roads became per-
emptory. But even in the extra session of
the General Assembly which adopted the
road program and provided the funds, there
was bitter recurrence OF the Old struggle
The isolated community road builders were
successful In part succeeding in diverting a
portion OF the revenues to work in the coun-
ties but in the main the State system was
adopted.
NJ" the HIGHWAY commission is attempt
ing 10 allocate the funds and determine the
routes to be improved. and it is beleaguered
by delegations from every section OF the
state, each one clamoring for its favored
community idea. The delegations want their
particular bits of road improved no matter
at what cost. and no matter whether or not
those bits of road start anywhere in par
ucular or lead anywhere. Should their CON
tentions win, 1t would mean the destination
OF Nirginia's road funds and the elaborate
program worked out by the General Assem-
Oily would vanish in thin air, leaving dis
gruntled and dissatisfied people. and State
still buried up to its neck in mud
1t had been accepted as settled that the
great trunk lines would be improved first
Following the example of other States it
was taken for granted that a great highway
leading from the north to the south, and
another running from the east to the west
would be the initial work, and that these
would be rushed to completion, thereby
opening up the State TO the world over its
improved highways. and giving its people
a physical demonstration of the ADVANTAGES
OF good roads. Any ALLEGATION of funds or
change of routes that would interfere or
delay that plan would tend to block the
whole good roads system and delay the COM
ing of the day when Virginia will be wholly
traversabe.
The most enthusiastic good roads advo-
$500 '0uiu uol uepTlfe any county
community OF its rightful share of the road
funds, but they. do, and will continue to in
sist that the basic road system be completed
as quickly as possible, that the subordinate
roads then be linked up with the main routes
and that the Highway Commission, DESPITE
any pressure that is being or may be brought
10 bear on it, do not yield to any portion
81 the demand for return to the old match
work, crazy-quilt system that already has
cost the State so dear and got it nowhere
except deeper in the mire