Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-06-24


when the State line is crossed. for no
other CommonSealth in the East pays
SO !itue attention TO public roads.
IT HuS is Virginia advertised throughout
1 the nation. The Indictment is taken
from statement sent out by O. NJ Wells,
chief roadman OF the Automobile Club OF
America and before this time it has been
read by practically every automobile owner
in the United States. Ordinarily, The
Times-Dispa,ch would rush to the defense
of Virginias good name, hoping TO find the
report exaggerated, or, if not, TO supply
legitimate excuse for its backwardness But
here there is defense, there is no ex-
cuse. The charge stands as made, and Vir-
ginia albeit with shame admits II.
This one bulletin issued for the informa-
ton OF motorists everywhere in this one
touring season will cost Virginia tens of
thousands. even hundreds OF thousands, OF
dollars. The revenue that tourists would
hrlng into the State is comparatively so
minor an item that it may be ignored al
though 1t mounts far into the thousands of
dollars. III is in the broader phase Of Vir-
GINA being advertised as a backward care
less, don t-care, stick-n-the-mud State
from which capital, new industries and new
citizens will find it 10 their advantage 10
remain away, that it really hurts This ono
bulletin, TO say nothing OF hundreds OF SIM
liar reports going abroad from scores of
sources has cost Virginia more in dollars
and cents by reason OF restricted develop
ment than would ba. required to pay the
interest on the whole gum of money needed
TO give 1t an up-to-datc highway system.
This is the phase that the taxpayers should
study.
Mr. Wells continues:
seem qhf in FG ,h conf OF his 9eflse, is plainly
gina end OF N" Peninsula and tho
larElanG- claWare section.
In N!rs!hia the soil Is fertile and nro.
a5 aS ,Es G ga, The roads are aeep in dust
d!nEy and Uu4ttractWc
He is speaking OF the Eastern Shore as it
Is approached from Delaware and MARYLAND
win their magnificent highways and pros-
porous communities, but the same indict-
meht VIII hold good from whatever dircc-
ton the traveller comes into Virginia
North carolina, with its good roads and lis
soo,ooo'ooV recently appropriated 10 their
extension, and West Virginia with it's $50
100000 voted for highways, have taken
their places in the procession of prosperity
On every side good roads and progress ara
going hand in hand. The name OF Virginia
alone remains anathema to all who bv yir
tue OF ncccssity-neyer for pleasure
travel its strcaks OF dus, by summer and
its streaks of mud by winter.
Hear Mr. Wells again:
1t II should no, take professor Of
roads cost = community. IN lr.at.r
mistake is made than 20 believe mat
good roads are for luxury usc-fur
splendid geographical location: nor on
oowinent IN scenic ana historic points
OF interest IL perhaps richer than tuat
Of any other State in tho [ mon ,s',f
Is in
measure hidden aTay because Yh. MS
not in"dern!zed Aer roads Friends ~
virginia ia All parts OF tho country
nave been hoping mat change in
pubic sentiment would com. am lead
10 the opening up Of the STATE Thcr.
nave been times when the victory for
progress seemed 10 be near but the
actual results are not yet in evidence
Whether actual results" in opening IN
Virginia to the world and unlocking its re-
sources to development are really near al
hand the next few months will determine
If Virginia could build good roads out O,
the air that is wasted in talking about Then,
what magnificent system 1t would have.
But the difficulty is that they cost money
and 30 long as We insist on having slO5 in
Immediate returns for every 81 we expend
+ we are not going to have good roads II
Virginia could realize that it Is a permanen,
= investment II is making, the returns OF
81 which would be MANIFOLD In the shape
Increased values and highly develor