Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-08-18

iHFiy. Ana the manufacturer who
would permit the surface OF the
thoronghfare over which he hauled
his product to remain in condition
that would require an unnecessary
amount Of time IN hauling-time that
otherwise could be applied to greater
production--would soon find himself
out OF business. That is the situa-
ton OF the farmer on bad road.
we may assume that Virginia is n
vast open air factory. Upon looking
In we IND total ground area or
iioor space OF more than $4,000. 600
acres. SO far. YOU have put about
lo'ooO.oO0 acres of that space into
farm production and about 5000. 900
more IN lumber, leaving an idle floor
space or ground area OF more than
100000 acres. II that were in pro
duction today what would II mean TO
Virginia?
Idle Acres Challenge All Men.
submit in all carnestness that
every Idle acre in Virginia today Is
challenge to business men-men OF
large annirs-to lend their aid in get
ting 1t into full production. And
there Is no other way to do this ex-
cept by making better use OF the
road, ms you now propose to do.
From the standpoint OF the road
and It's relation to industry. 1t ia a
curious fact that our way back TO
neglected opportunities is being
lighted by the n-cs OF industry which
we kindied on our way out. This
truth Is expressed In the pressure
which now comes from industrial n nd
commercial ccnters for tho widening
and lengthenlnS OF supply zones
through the development OF roads II
rs not 30 much how many railroads
run through town today that make
II great rs now many good highways
lead out of 1t. And we have come 10
underhtand that II is just as essen
tial to the welfare Of the people who
are engaged in our commercial CEN
ters to lay good aud dependable
economic baais as II Is to lay gus p'1s
and meter main.
Now. II YOU Will rlnft mo 20 fol-
low the changing road to its logical
conclusion. 20 far as II concerns the
problems which you have In hand,
your next stump will be the matter
Of finance. 1t is generally assumed
that this phase Will be handled
through an issuance Of bonds. That
has been understood, but when the
proposition comes before the Lcgis-
lature for definite action. the point
back Of the proposed Issues Will be
where will we get the money TO re-
deem the bonds?"
Will Il increase our tax burdens?
That Will he very direct question
coming from tho back districts.
You can say this-and say IL with
out fear OF successful contradiction
that you propose To get the money
for the redemption OF the bonds out
the roads themselves.
stop Waste.
Ie -,
statement. But II II were possible
for you to marshal all the items Of
waste which now lie at the bottom
OF the unsurfaced road-roads that
take an excessive toll In vehicle
operation-and add that to the losses
that come TO agriculture and indus
try as Il result OF transportation re-
strictions. YOU will find. ] am quite
sure an astonishing total-a total that
will far more than cover the cost
OF your new roads.
You have In your open-air factory
$4,000 farms. or farm units in the
plant. think YOU will agree with me
that had roads-counting the days
that they are wholly impossible and
other days on which travel Is dim
cult. cause an average time loss OF
one hour per day to each one of these
farms. That means a total time loss
OF $4,000 hours. or more than 23.-
900 working days. 1t means that
that your roads are wasting $4,000
working days every week.
Put stop to this form Of waste
TO say nothing of uneconomic vehicle
operation-and you will very soon
find where to get the money for the
redemption OF your bonds. When
analyzcd from .his standpoint We
can see very clearly how n highway
bond becomes an opportunity unstend
OF an obligation. and how we can usn
i, as a financial lever to throw tho
road over into new position where
II can pay It's own way out. While
the money goes into the regular
channel through your State Treasury
to redeem the obligation. II will be-
gin coming back to you In greater
volume on the profit side Of the ac-
count.
The results Of this enterprise must
be taken across the door sill to every
hearthstonc. Unlcsa you do that In
the form of happier circumstances
for the people. you Will short cir
chit the whole project. for there In
the home Is where you want to lRnd
ultimately with all the inspirational
powers which you can generate. When
you do that. rural decay will stop,