Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-01
auto DEALERS OPPOSED
TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION
association Says Interest OF Roads
s#s Does Not Demand Assembly
Meeting.
ENDORSES GOVERNORS ACTION
Davis Has Warm Commcndntion Of
Men Who Have Pledged Them
selves to Better Highways for Vir-
s, yinia-Will Sec Coleman

The interest of good roads in Vir-
ginia does not require a special ses-
sion Of the Legislature. since funds
already in hand constitute sum as
large as can be conveniently handled
in the construction and main enancc
of highways before the regular ses-
sion of 1920 can meet and make pro-
per provision for matching with an
equal amount the Federal apropria-
ton of 100000 for expenditure, on
post roads during the next two years.
This is the declaration made yester-
day afternoon by j. y. Kline. presi-
dent of the Virginia Automobile Deal
ers' Association. after committee
which he headed had finished 2 con-
Davis on the general ROAD situation.
Other memLers of the committee were
LIN, Phelps, secretary; n. ~ Grant,
kline Makes Statement.
Mr.. Kline. speaking for the COM
nittee, made this statement:
ut is the intention OF the committee
TO call on the State Highway Commits
sioner, Mr.. Coleman. for Information
asfto where the present appropria-
lions now available OF approximately
s3.0O0.o0O. for construction and $500
ahis committee, representing the Vir-
sinia Automobile Dealers Association.
which in turn represents some five
hundred Nirginia agtomooiis business
active interest in the question of good
roads in the state of Virginia and with
tna6 aim IN v'eT W Wn,an
Information that Will enable il to in
telligcntly wage its tight for good
10 the polls at the election of the next
Legislature, pledgins itself TO support
only good roads not built in the air.
but built on the earth, which costs
THE committee, after pointed Ques-
lions had been answered by the GOV
Governor UP 10 date had been abso-
autely correct and in keeping with the
best interests OF the Commonw ealth,
and there is being rapid steps taken
for the.s,xpenditure of funds now avail
able for good roads throughout the
state.
The question Of certain roads was
discussed at length. and the committee
left the office OF the Governor satisfied
that the matter was being handled as
efficiently as possible under the circum
"The Virginia Automobile Dealers
Association fully appreciates that last
ing good roads cost real money, but
feels that its members pay a Suf-
ficientiy large proportion OF the taxes
of the State TO cntitle them to a voice
in how this money should be spent.
"The committee while not feeling
qualified 10 advise or dictate TO the
Highway Commissioners. feels that the
present system OF Federal aid does not
meet Win the requirements of 'he
situation.
structed to meet the requirements Of
traffic viii be constructed ana forever
maintained by the Cni;ed States gov,
before Congress by Senator Charles l.
Townsend. OF Michigan. meets with
favorable consideration from the MEM
bers Of the next Congress.
The measure PROVIDES for a radical
revision in the highway policy pur-
sued by the government in the past
and lays the foundation upon which
economic expenditure of hundreds OF
millions OF dollars viii be secured.
rroHiaes fpr Two tb Main Mpa"s ,ro
vdes for two main trunk lines Of
highways in each state, constructed
10 link up with corresponding state
ing complete national system Of lines.
These roads would DC constructed
under the supervision Of Federal
highway commission OF i've men after
a thorough investigation into traffic
requirements OF each State with due
consideration for the needs OF inter
state HIGHWAY commerce. which has
shown remarkable gains in the past
The measure does not stop there; it
recognizes the tac-+tflat. ne must al
ways De a the t2.-k 81 Improving and
constructing our state highways Ac-
cordingly, provision is made for a con-
,inuance OF Federal aid 10 the States,
IN order that the State highway com
snissioners may have At their disposal
Sufficient funds TO enable them 10 con-
struct their lateral highways 10 the
main trunk lines.
Roads Must Feed Rnilronds
1T is no secret that short hauls have
been Improbable 20 the railroads and
that future extensions Of this sort are
not contemplated. II our railroad sys-
lem is to reach its highest point Of eff
cheney. which. in a broad sense. implies
il lowering OF living costs TO all OF us.
then our highways must be geared UP
70 Il point where they Will feed the
highways at the lowest possible eX-
peuse. such a result can bc only
brought about by the expenditures OF
large sums o! money, and it follows
logically, that va should have a ma
;ional policy which Will give us the
hest and tho quickest results from
these expenditures"
v. VI. l. Man Promoted.