Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-15

erumcnt undertakes tho construction
OF It's highway system. II will con-
tlnue It's ala TO the States. to be used
In tho construction OF the State High
way systems.
This. however. will leave large
amount to be raised annually by the
state. There are but two ways az |
see 1t, to raise sufficient funds. One,
by special tax. and the other by n
pond issue. or you could have II modi-
n ca s,. OF either one Of these plans
ciai tax and part By bond issue. The
nrs. tnihk we VIII agree is out of the
question since at the present time
proximately s1.3O0.o0O. from one-,hird
OF the automobile tax we will derive
IN the neighborhood OF 100000. or by
Would receive IRON these two sources
approximately $1,000. 900 wh ich in
connection with the Federal aid. would
give us S4.000.0DU annually
Our problem. then, resolves itself
Into the amount Of bonds to be issued
annually, and the arrangements which
should be made for interest and sink
Ing fund. l wish to emphasizes here
the Importance of always having in
mind the maintenance OF our roads
AFTER their construction. This should
DO demanded OF US by the citizens Of
the state. who are To pay for the con-
struction OF our roads, for only in
TINS way can we assure TO them the
Dement'S OF the investment which they
Offers Recommendation.
y would therefore recommends:
That first consideration should be
given to maintenance of the highways
alter their construction. and tina.
adequate funds should always be pro-
vidcd for that purpose. 1t would fur
ther be advisable that tho whole of
the State highway system should be
taken over Tor maintenance. since in
many sections the county authorities
feel that as unimprovcd sections in
this system will ultimately be i'm
proved by the State that therefore the
for maintenance purposes. To do this,
however, the General Assembly must
provide the necessary funds for main
"2. That plans, should be Immediate
" made for thtA complete survey and
establishment OF the State and county
highway systems. which will greatly
eide for all time disputed or uncertain
locations. and that the right Of way
for the State highway system should
not be less than my feet
3. The appointment of committee
to formulate a financial plan for the
construction OF the State highway sys-
tenn, and for state aid 10 the county
sideration the possibility of the es-
| tablishment OF a national system, the
issuing of bonds or the l6vying OF a
special tax, or both, and the anticipa-
State funds in the construction OF the
State system.
Should BE Maintained.
~. That, If the State is TO continue
it's present policy OF aiding the coun-
ties in the construction OF county
highway systems. the counties should
De required TO maintain these roads
after their construction. and that some
definite plan of construction should be
agreed on between the State and the
counties, In order to coordinate this
work.
rs. That, TO meet the ever growing
needs of that State, for its proper
development and future upbuildins
we go on record IS favoring an early
constitutional conventions
From the foresoing. you will real
ize that you. as citizens OF this State.
are enbarkinS on the biggest bust
ness venture ever undertaken By the
state; 4 business which will represent
the expenditure OF many millions OF
dollars.
There arc many OF you here today
who are confidently expecting the con-
struction Of the section OF road either
| on the road which will lead directly
TO your place. You must. however.
realize. on careful thought that this
| viii be physically impossible and that
| the construction CT the state highway
| system is going TO take time as well
as money. and that therefore you must
| DC patient.
| Asks for support.
LAS the head OF the department
| having this work IN charge ] ask you
! TO give il your most careful considera-
| ton and, II possible. your support and
| cooperation. You will finance it and
|