Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-11-29


I, AR from closing the door to a special
session of the General Assembly or to
the issuance of bonds for highway construc-
ton, Governor 1rinkes review OF his posi-
Lion may fairly be interpreted as foreshad-
owing more active effort on his own part
20 crystalline legislative and popular senti-
ment. In direct aud unmistakablc language
he places himself record as favorabl
Ito the bond issue: .. believe that the
Issuance of bonds is the most feasible way
OF meeting the situation, it always being
understood that a gasoline tax is TO be
levied TO automatically take care OF the
principal and interest of said bonds" He is
convinced. moreover, that one OF the
greatest, if not the greatest needs in Nir-
ginia is the development, with able
degree OF speed of our highway transporta-
uon system. Notwithstanding his express
sions of tolerance with respect 10 other pro-
posed means Of financing highway construc-
ton, the commitments set out in the lines
above quoted must he viewed as pointing
TO an aggressive move the part of the
Governor TO mold sentiment in the State
accordingly
The Governor makes II clear that he is
not yet ready to consider the matter ms
closed. With certain assurances he is still
willing 10 call the extra session for the a,-
thorizaton Of bonds He is aware tina,
something should be done TO make the
State highway program more secure He
believes that a bond issue represents the
most feasible way of meeting the situa-
ton. He is the Governor of the State the
logical leader OF thought and action
Though, naturaAy: not latking in respect
= TOR the views OF 'rny group OF citizens. he
has his own convictions, his own RESPONSE
biiiics, as the states leader TO meet II
-~.1nnst be assumed. in the light of his declara-
-t!on yesterday. that his attitude toward
bonds Will he that OF an active sponsor:
that, II his attitude in The past has appeared
10 he mat rather Of open mndcdness and
tecep'iNit! he Is prepared to use his great
influence to the utmost between this time
and December IL in order 10 obtain Inc
legislative pledges he now deems 10 bo
lacking. And II may hardly he doubted
mat direct appeal from him to tho puhIic
and the General Assembly. supported Nv
4 full presentation OF the emergency and
the influence OF the Governors pnsi,,on
VIII quickly bring to his desk the assurances
lie desires
Not the least compelling Of the arguments
"H!ch 'Ae Governor may use with thought
iui HIrsinlans is the disConcerting but in =
dlSpuIable fact that one of the best highway
organizations in the country mas bcnn 20,
up in Virginia. is being maintained q, =
heavy eXpcnse-and is withou, the means
oil rendering full service In fact com
pared with the accomplishments which This
highy superior organization might perform
the contribution il is making may be .nid
TO be practically negligible The s;tra
'loH Is one representing tup-heaviness in mo
extreme. an anomaly of the most distress
me S'El. And the inevitable result uol.s.
q remedy IS soon applied. will be widrsnrc,d
dissatisfaction with the organization and
generalization among those who cornoso
H. Complete disruption of the pl.us INA,
nave been laid for going forward win M.
great pHblic work clearly is IMPENDING /,
ma! De "Neft"d only by the prolnw order
lhg OF such financial relief as viii onahl.
sine highway Department to press lis mic
sion in Keeping with its own main,ouanco
cost ana its own professional efficiency
The Governor touches briefly npon H..
recent impulse 10 present to advocates and
opponents Of bonds "a though, along N.
line OF calling an extra session no, n d.
sue bonds, but only to provide temporarv
FUNDS 10 meet the reasonable needs NJ ,ho
HlghWay department for the wear 1oD3
Inc manner in which that ''thouph,v
was presented the Governor does mo, do
scribe. II has been learned however ,b.,
SO far as the bond advocates were rnn
cerned, the proposal was advanced nv tho
. Governor IN the euise rather OF club than
friendly suggestion. And The 8oyorror
himself doubtless realizes as fully as any
one the extent TO which the pronosal so
represented, was misleading and unfortunate
Ills OWL attitude toward bonds, however.