Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-30
The Proper Approach

n OVERNOR- ELECT TRINSLE is APP
~ proaching the/problem Of good roads
and how to obtain them in Virginia, in a
manner that is eminently practical and
sound. No issue of more immediate or last
ing Importance to the State is likely to come
before the next session Of the General AS
sembly, converting Of which is now only six
weeks away. and it is easily conceivable
that the success or failure of his admins
tration may be measured according to the
fulfllment of his campaign pledge that he
would do his utmost to pull Virginia out of
the mud.
Mindful Of his promise of q business So
luton of the roads issue in the State over
which an overwhelming majority of the
voters has called him to preside Mr.. Trinkle
called conference of four engineers whom
the country recognizes by virtue of their
concrete accomplishments, as experts in
road building. Results OF that conference
have mot been given to the public, but it
may be taken for granted that the incoming
Governor derived from them valuable in
formation and advice which will be OF ma
teral aid to him when he comes to formu-
late his road program to the General AS
sembly.
The matter OF financing the States pro-
posed road system, upon which will depend
the length OF time required to complete it,
will be for the Assembly to decide, but with
sentiment for good roads now prevailing in
every part OF the State, with practically all
citizens agreeing with the Governor-elect
that 1--WE must have good highways and we
must not he behind other States," it is more
than probable that he will have the Assem-
bly, solidly and enthusiastically with him
in any practical, progressive program Of
road building he may submit for It's con-
federation.
The Governor elect has stated q definite
proposition i'll that The State must have
good roads," but here the question of
finance obtrudes itself and il is here that the
fight will come in the Assembly, that is, il
there is to be n battle. Mr.. Trinke as We
understand his position, never committed
himself against bond issue should one be
necessary or advisable. He only committed
himself against bond issue under condi-
tions then existing, and one which would
increase the burdens OF the taxpayers. Con-
ditions have improved appreciably in the
last few months. They are steadily improv-
ing now, and il may well be that when the
General Assembly convenes it will find them
almost If not quite back to normal. Pos
siby the new Governor may be able to sug-
gest a plan whereby the State can finance
its highway system economically and speed
lily without bonds. If he can work that
seeming miracle, it will be a distinct
triumph for his administration. But if he
cannot find such method, he is certain we
believe, To keep his mind open to the bond
scheme proposed by the Virginia Good
Htoads Association, or such notifications of
il as may be found WISE resting assured that
lie will have the support of the State if he
finally decides that moderate bond issue
is the most feasible plan. In this connec-
ton ii is interesting to note that the en-
gineers with whom he has been in confer
ence come from States--pcnnsylvania, North
Carolina and Maryland are building
reads under the bonding plan and have
found it not only economical, but not the
lax burden which so many people feared
/. would be.