Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-03
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
ON TOPICS OF THE DAY
narrowing Experience Related by
Automobiles Who Attempted
the charlottesville Road.

To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir.--feelimg that the public should
De safeguard"d against d.plorab BILE
cuckoo on the Richmond To Char
lottcsrille Highway. respectfully
submit my rccout experience.
l wanted Ia drive from Richmond
10 Elkton. Va. leaving Richmond
Wednesday. November -. and Oh ac-
count OF the rain: decided To Eo by
the way OF Smells store and orange
I" o!SHrlottesviii. which route IL
usually the best. though longer.
The, report of road conditions as
,uNiShed TO The Times Dispatch and
bureau stated that the highway be-
tween Richmond AMI chariottesviilc
was in good condition cxccp, between
Locust and Cuckoo. whore |, was
ira drive OF abou, thir,y-fvc miles
around by Smells and Orange. +
called the Highway Commissioners
ONO" on thr telephone on Tuesday
November %. and asked IL tho main
aiHhway between Richmond and
charlottesville was passAbIe was
Informed that "i; was In goJd con
dition except at Cuckoo. but tina; 7
would have n" troubl. In getting
through. and lid not even need
chains" On this advice | decided TO
take the shorter route.
The road to Locust Was oyc.il.nt
but wien got to within Tire. miles
OF cuckoo found III" road covered
with soft clay MI TO the d.,,th
OF about three or four feet. plow.d
through this and about one eIgh; n
Of mile further on ] came 10 an
other Till where men were working
called the gang foreman and
asHed him II | could get through
an! he said he thought 50. II would
put chains on my rear wheels. lie
SAID further that il would attempt
!. and did Get stuck H. would pull
me out with his road nulos!
started through and go, stuck.
lie h:tch.l four mules TO my car. hut
my own power. and my ear Is rated
tweniy.n!rc horse power.
We then h!tchod tho. mules to The
rear Of my car aud after "A long time
inaragcd 10 back out and turn
around.
1 asked him IL there was amy way
To drive around this MI. but he did
no; know OF any. y farmer told M.
/ could get to Mineral 10y d.tourin.
around Frederick Hall. This dctour
was almost impossible and was 50
dangerous lookirr, that three NO.
party refused 10 ride over the road.
and beGEeh me not 10 attempt Il. 1
could not turn around. and. had 10
go on. | finally got 10 Frederick
W
iir" distance. about six miles.
My criticism Is not against the re-
pairing or bad roads. bur against Ia.
Highway Commissioner aud Weather
Bureau. which issues misleading re-
ports OF road conditions In this
day of telephone ana telegraph The
highway Commissioners office can
learn exact conditions bu: Il does
not seem TO be Interested.
The ro:S 10 Cuckoo was not block
I'd on, nor was there any sign %
warning OF any description TWO or
three cars we're stuck In the mud on
this fill on November 81. and Il,
looked like they would remain there
until spring.
IL Is bad enough for those OF US
who i've In Virginia To have these
unpleasant experiences. hut !; worries
me To think of what tourists viii
think OF a State and Of State officials
Who are 80 Indifferent To their com
fort and danger. thEi they Will pillow
Ny y highway 10 the poin; OK making
II impossible and mt even take tho
precaution oil putting w "a sign OF
warning. nor provide dctuur which
can be gotten over without danger
10 HE and property.
THOMAS