Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-04
NEW FUNDS AVAILABLE
IN 1923 TOTAL S3,2l5,OOO
Says Shirley Ought to Have
$8,00O,OOO to $lO,OOO,.
900 Usable.
DOES NOT ASK ABOUT SESSION
| But Incloses to Ench Member Copy
| Of Statement He Made on
Matter.

Governor Trinkle has mailed to
members OF the General Assembly a
letter. setting out the financial con
dition OF the State Highway Depart
ment and tho work which Is to be-
done in completing the highway sys-
tenn or approximately 1000 miles.
Tho executive shows that new
funds available for 1929 total s3,215.-
600, explaining that the Federal
money he mentions, s971 .0eo. is avail
able only when n like amount ia
supplied by the State from time to
time. and that the sl.7oo.ooo milltaE
is not available until about Deccm.
Der /. 1923
In writing OF tho State Highway
Department. the Governor saye:
This department, since Chairmaa a
Shirley came into office, has boon
thoroughly reorganized. and Is now
on working basis and prepared to
expand. with the exception OF a few
additional engineers and clerks who
would have to be added. around S1B,.
100000 n year OF course, II tho
fund Is not available, then tho cflair-
man will have to reduce this force az
much as possible. but this cannot bs
done In proportion to the reduction
in the amount OF funds available un-
der the $l5.o00,o00. as there arc many
Of these expenses which Will remain
just the same, and Mr. Shirley tells
me that. by being able to work hia
force and not disrupt his orgauiza-
tion and being nble to call for larger
contracts, that he feels he could aave
from 10 to I2 per cent on the cost
OF road constructions. In order to
set as nearly perfect service out OF
the Highway Department organiza-
ton. It must keep work ahead Of It
In sum from Ss.0o0.o0O to 100000
900. so that plans can always be be-
fore the commission and there will
be no hesitancy An going on with his
work and s,,fficieht work provided 40
that the entire personnel can .be,kept
UP TO maximum efficiency,
The Governor does not mention the
matter of nm extra session OF the As
sembly. but inclosed in his letters the
statement issued by him on Novem-
bcr IS, declining to call the session
on the strength OF tho number OF
pledges for road bond legislation In
hand. and holding out the hope OF
issuing the call after December Is.
II he could be assured OF safe work
ing majority in both houses for the
proposed bill.
Tc>t of the Letter.
Governor Trinkle's letter follows;
To the Members OF the General As
sembly:
AS there seems TO be so much aues-
ton about what has been accom-
pl!shcd by our Highway Department:
And as TO what funds are available
for contracts to be let under tho
ALLEGATION OF funds made in tho
spring Of 1922:
And what funds are available for
contracts to be let under the Rob-
ertson act;
And also what funds Will be avail
abie from the revenues OF 1923 for
new highway construction contracts:
I felt that I ought to send to the
members of the General Assembly
this communication which gives tho
figures accurately as I am able TO
get them. 1 hope you will study
these figures carefully so as to have
this data squarely before you.
l find from the report made to mo
by tho chairman OF tho State High
way Commission, Henry G. Shirley.
the following TO be the conditions as
TO the State highway system as OF
September so. 1899.
The State highway system covers
approximately 1000 miles.
sa9.32 miles OF the State highway
system have been constructed and
completed.
3'l.26 additional miles OF the State
system have been reSurfaced and put
In good condition.
io2.96 miles OF new road are under
lConlinued nm paC. - col aN