Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-01
believe. Govcrnor'. Plan sound.

Believes Governors Plan sound.
To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch
Sir.--I am an advocate OF good
roads and AZ at present advised
am inclined TO the opinion that the
srcedicSt and most practical way Ia
secure funds to build them is by tho
issuance OF bonds. l am thoroughly
convinced. however. that u consid-
cradle majority OF the people OF tho
State, even ut this time. are opposed
to n bond issue. Tie residents or tho
cities are favorably inclined toward
II. most OF the newspapers of the
State arc clamorng for II. and n
number of societies and associations
have placed themselves on record as
favorinS II. But ono has only To go
out into the rural communities 10
learn that not only do these things
not indicate public sentiment. but
that there Is Il strong undcrcurrrnt
of resentment on the part of the
people against what they construe as
an effort on the part OF certain poll
ticians and Good-rOads enthusiasts
to put something over On them with
out giving them chance to say
whether they want 1t or not. They
reason that In the primary contest
between the Governor and Mr.. Tuck
er, both candidates pledged them
selves against bond Issue. that tho
present Legislature was elected with
a positive antibond mandate from
the people. and that that nandat. H.
binding until II Is reversed or re-
vised by the election OF another Leg
islature. Whether this position is
reasonable or correct AS tn detail.
makes no difference, the effect is the
same as IL it were.
To call the Legislature In extra
session and enact tho legislation nee
cssary for tho issuance of tho bonds
at this time is going 10 h. SO bit
terly resented that the whole work
of permanent roadbulldin: In the
state Will be handicapped or thwart-
ed by strife and dissension
Under the circumstances IL strikes
me- that the proposition the Cover
nor made tn "a delegation OF Sena-
tors and members uf tho House
which recently called upon him. to-
wit: that he would call an extra ses-
sion OF tho Legislature. recommend
the passage OF bill providing for
tax OF cents n gallon on Eaao-
line, II they would pledge themselves
not to Introduce a bond bill AZ such
session. was not only practical.
hut most sensible solution W the
,ainly take care OF the Immediate
necessities Of road construction. that
is. the construction fu- about on"
Year. and the pcopl" " br given
an opportunity 10 r"vcrs, t.cir posi-
ton on the tOnd issue question at the
regular election for members OF the
Legislature next fail
Surely there can he no good reason
for Withholding from the people the
opportunity IL express themselves
upon question which concerns
them SD vitality. The chances arc,
that AFTER properly conducted cam
raiEn. OF education. II you please.
they would vote for bond issue.
but they want the opportunity TO
speak and 10 be heard la the only
way they can be heard upon the
proposition. and they are going 10
resent. in an effective way, any cf-
fort 20 prevent their being heard.
The GoHrnor's plan gives them this
opportunity. II is So simple and
effective and fair that 1t seems
strange some ore has not proposed
II before. II should have been ac-
cepted, not only in the interest of
harmony and GOOD feeling, but In
the interest OF future bond issue
legislation az well.
" TN reference 10 the statemcut {
In today's paper purportinE to ema-
nate from Senator Goolrick, TO tho
effect that for two months there
has been substantial majority In
both houses "f the Legislature in
favor Of THE extra session, il would
seem I" suffice 90 say mat IL surt
- the case there should be no diff =
hcuity in having in the hands of
the t;overnoF written evidence OF
their desire 10 have an extra scs-
sion for the purpose Of providing FOR
bond issue. by the date set, De-
ccmbcr Is
IL is facts not theories with which
we are confronted.
desire II distinctly undcrstoo.
mat an and have at all times been
good-roads advocate, and, as al
present advised. | am In favor Of n
oono issue properly safeguarding the
Citizens OF the State from an undue
Increase In the burden OF taxation.
out believe the people Of the State
at large are overwhelmingly against
any pond issue at this time.
beleNe strongly in gasoline tax
Tor roads. whether in connection
with bond issue or TO meet cur
rent needs. and there are two i'm
portant facts in connection with a
gasoline tax that ought to he en-
phasized In the campaign of educa-
ton that should be conducted be
'Nen now and the n-xt regular ses-
$40" IN order 10 have the Legislature
favorable 10 progressive road lcEis-
l"''"n' ana they are. first. that the
gasoline tax throws the chief burden
OF r"hdhuilding and upkccp on those
YIN" use the roads most and auto
hatica'ly iii proportion To their usa
ana. second. II would entail placing
AT iehst portion OF the cos, Of
construction and upkeep on nonresi-
uchts VINO pass through the State
deriving benefit from the roads and
contributing to the wear and tear
upon them, as they almost neces-
S'r.iS purchase some gasoline en-
route. G. NJ f.IIcItEcr,,r
Richmond, Va, Nov. %. 1927