Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-03
BRIDGE ACCIDENT FIGURES
IN HIGHWAY PROBE HERE
Byrd Announces He Has In.
formation Two Men Killed
at Fishers Hill.
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO-DAY
Commissioner George Coleman Again
Takes Stand md Is Quixzcd Rcln-
tive To Failure of LAW to Uequire
NOnd of Him.

Information that he had n telegram
stating that two men had been killed
in an accident yesterday on the tenn.
porary bridge Mt Fishers Hill. on the
Valley Turnpike, will be laid before
the joint legislative committee In
Testigating highway affairs today by
Chairman Harry Flood Byrd II was
this bridge that witnesses earlier In
the probe declared to be dangerous
and for which Commissioner George
p. Coleman was severely criticized
for not replacing with an adequate
structure.
The telegram stating that the men
had been Killed was received YES
terday by thurman Byrd too late for
MIN TO out Il hrEoie the committees
Inc message CAV, no details uf the
accident, and had L.. been vr:ttu.
late last might. Tie scene is ncar
Tie spot wnrrs two suspected boot
tSEers were Hillcu srrcral years ,Cu
by agents or the State Prohibition
department. resulting in mistrials for
one of the alleged slayers.
Coleman Again on Stand,
The investigation was resumed yes
terday morning after a day of in
activity due to the inaugural of We'd
nesday Commissioners Coleman was
again on the stand and WAS uuIzzcd
regarding h!S failure to be bonded
ne pointed out again that he had
oesired TO Ee bonded. but that there
was ho'hinS In the law to require II
"ue IL. Mass!e. member of the
state highway Commission. testified
that he had not known that Mr..
coleman was not bonded until II
WIS brought out ut the investigation.
an examination OF the law since then.
however. mas convinced him TINT
there is no requirement of a bond
'or the highway commissioners. To
whose credit more than $500. 600 Is
now held in various banks.
MT Coieinan declared that the Vir-
Einia Highway Department is /,
training ground for other States
which. through ability to nav ,,no1
salaries. snatch up his most pro,nis.
ing assistants. He cited the d.cision
announced yesterday OF William +
locke his assistant. to accent th.
oHer ot Florida to become it's bIrh-
way commissioner as case 10 rho
point. w '"e
me State Of Virgil does M,
H"s enough to keep them" he ,oId
we Investigators. He pointed mn,
mat the department was limited =,
fi'uuo IL year for salaries. untiI VIZ
SIN" can meet these higher bids
p,oPer progress in road building in
".s WI! he limited he SAID.
rails To Give Figures.
rormer Supervisor NJ. Jackson of
=. re county. testified that people
80 ms section were not favorably
i,'i sSseo with the work OF the
,iishwaE Department. One man had
fingered under an apple trcn ,o.
much. lie said but, on oues,,or,,,e
admitted that the loafcr was dis'
,h"rsed when the matter ,ya,
drought 10 the attention of his en-"
pei'or"' He stated, In reply to a
''oh from Mr.. Coleman thar ~
ma no figures on which IN has ~,
criticism that the Virginia road nv
s"hseS We're greater than other
States. o'hef
Items for legal services listed by
me state Accountant IL. n statement
expenditures OF the Highway De-
h"rtmcnt were questioned bv The
committee. J. +. Hall Is paid s3.ooo
year FOR his services. Why Miss
Louise Hammond is receiving 5000 /,
M nth could not be explained by Mr..
"'''h"f. ana he was requested TO
Hhu out and report to the committee.
ne question OF ALLEGATION of funds
10 repay advances by certain sections
OF '"e state 10 speed up highway con
.'u''ion was again brought up.
some members 81 the committee are
not satisfied Why ALLEGATIONS were
made In certain cases and other large
SeshonS forced To put up actual cash.
"h!cA mas not yet been repaid. II
"aS admitted by members of the
commission and by Mr.. Massie that
'hc Nooerison act which permitted
"".hhteS aHd future repayment with
oHt interest 10 be very loosely drawn
ara srh$cc; &c improvement. Dele
gate Woods asserted that the law
was a good one. but could stand
amending.
another session Will he held by the
committee at 10 o'clock this morninr