Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-07-02

as to the feasibility. of the proposed
amendment to the state constitution,
which provides for a system of state
highways connecting ali county seats,
please read the following:
Q.-Why is it necessary to amend the
state constitution before a state high
way system can be built7
A.-Thc constitution does not pro-
vide for state supervision and main
tenancc Of highways.
o.-Who has this. power7
Alt is vested IN the county courts,
sometimes assisted b. advisory COM
mittees.
o.-Why change this system7
A.-There will be no change in so
far as secondary or class "B" roads are
concerned. The state must have
charge Of through roads" or trunk
lines, If Il comprehensive highway sys-
TEN Is built to connect oil county
seats.
Q.-Is this necessary?
Ayes. History has proved that
in Il great number of cases, county
courts of adjoining counties frequent
ly fail to cooperate with each other.
Roads are sometimes built to serve the
people Of the county and not the state
at large. The proposed amendment
gives the legislature authority to re-
wise the state road law. Then the
state will see that all main thorough
fares are built to connect, thus making
up complete state road system. The
amendment must be ratified before
this road building plan Is adopted.
Q.-How many miles of hard road
has West Virginia7
A.-ApproXimately9 900.
Q.-WiIl any more be built this
year.
A.-Thc state road commission says
there is enough money available to
build 800 miles this year
Q.-How many miles of hard road
are needed to connect all county seats7
A.-2,2O0. With 900 miles built, and
money available TO build 300 more this
year, there are still 1000 miles Of hard
road unprovided for, If the State con-
meets county seats.
Q.-What is the cost of this 1000
miles?
A.-The cost would vary In accord
ance with the type Of roads built.
Q.-How does the state intend to
raise the funds necessary to complete
this system?
A.-The proposed constitutional
amendment provides that the legisla-
ture may issue state bonds not to cx-
coed $50,00O,OOO and to be retired in
thirty years.
Q.-How would "a sinking fund be
created to retire these bonds7
Although what Is known as the
illinois Plan" or increased automobile
license revenue. This means increased
automobile registration as the result
Of extending road system.
Q.-Is this necessary?
AIT the time this amendment was
submitted TO the legislature for ap-
proval before. going to the voters, it
was thought to be the most logical
method. However, Increased automo-
bile registration since that time, des-
pite the lack of hard roads, has led
many to believe that a bond issue
would not be necessary.
Q.-What will the automobile
revenue amount to this Year,
A.-The State Road Commission has
estimated that 1t will reach $1,2OOOO
this year
G.-What Is the total number Of cars
registered SO far this Year,
Alt the time this is being written.
Ii is approximately $1,000. 1t is be-
lieved the registration will reach Ca
900 before January I. 1921.
Q.-What percentage of increase
will this show for the year?
A.-ApprOXimatelt "a per. cent.
Off the legislature decides to is.
sue bonds amounting to $4,000 900,
how will they be issued7
A.-No one can say snow, but the
West Virginia Good Roads Federation,
the organization sponsoring this con-
stitutional amendment, favors what is
known rs the "Five-Y ear Plan" This
means bonds amounting to $4,000, 900
will be issued each year for Il period
of five years
Q.-Have the taxpayers any reason
to believe that this "Five.Year Plan"
will be adopted by the legislature, If it
is decided to issue bonds7
A.-They certainly have. Is 1t not
reasonable to assume that an organi.
m ANl0AIrnPA aAH