Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-28
Making Virginia Unpopular

I INCIDENT to the building OF good roads
1 in which Virginia is now engaged. there
are many annoyances to which OF necessity
the traveller must be subjected. While such
Inconvenience are unavoidable, 1t is posi-
bic that the circumstances surrounding them
may be shaped TO increase the States
prestige as Il progressive, hospitable Com
monwealth to which tourists will be glad to
return different set OF circumstances is
calculated to make the States lame 1nath-
ema to those who Of necessity for
pleasure travel within its boundaries The
character of the circumstances, whether for
tho States good or bad repute, largely rests
with the authorities in charge of road build
ing or those in the country through which
4 particular stretch OF road extends.
Virginia, it is feared. has been and still
is more or less negligent of the convenience
and the pocketbooks of travellers during its
period OF road construction. Who is there
that has not heard OF the Chappawnmsic
Swamp and its terrors, and of the thousands
OF dollars that tourists have paid to have
their cars hauled out Of the quagmire by
the negroes who depended on this sort OF
easy money for their living? Fortunately
that swamp has been bridgcd with concrete.
but the memory OF what ii once was still
is damaging Virginia.
In recent days another instance Of this
under public observation and Virginia is
suffering thereby. a splendid concrete high
way is being constructed between Richmond
and Petersburg y few miles this side OF
Petersburg, i'll Chesterfield County, Il detour
Is necessary. That detour is Il combination
OF quagmirc and loblolly through which few
automobiles can pass under their own pow
er. But neither the county nor the road
building authorities have been at any pains
~ m y1v on Sia lncc cix,n fDr
the scores OF machines compelled to make
the detour daily y case in point: On
Friday, within less than a half hour nine
cars attempted the passage. Five OF them
were Virginia machines, and four from other
States. Two Of the cars got through with
out assistance, while seven, including the
four foreigners, were mircd and helpless.
Negroes and mules, evidently awaiting in
ambush for their prey, quickly appeared and
the cars were hauled out at price Of SIS
car. total OF s35 for few minutes
work.
This is the sort of treatment that is driv-
ing tourists away from Virginia and keeping
them away for all time. The tourists in
the four visiting cars announced that they
we're through with the State that permitted
such things; that it was their first expert
cnce with such inhospitalty and petty graft,
and they were through once they got be-
You'd the States border.
y trivial occurrence, some one may say.
Possibly so. if it were an isolated case but
it is only one of hundreds occurring daily
In many sections Of the State. and their
cumulative effect is about the most dis
as'rous sort of advertising in which Vir-
ginia can indulge. Maintenance. of mules
by the State or county authorities at such
dangerous detours would be compa ra lively
inexpensive and il would add to tho States
reputation for courteous treatment of citi-
Zcns and strangers, and perhaps prevent
DETECTION of tens of thousands of dollars
Which tourists annually take TO States
whore things arc more Progressively done.