Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-02

sonable length of timo. either in bulk
or in annual instnllments.
1 am hoping. however. that the
present United States Congress may
make available under the Federal act
OF July l, 1922. an additional sum of
approximately sl,4eO,00O. II the gas
oline tax hereinafter referred to Is
approved by the General Assembly,
and the suggestions therein made by
mo adopted. it should provide, also,
an additional amount OF 100000 to
100000 for expenditures on the
State highway system in 1922.
Income. year of 1893:
Auto tax estimated. ....... 2,100. 900 90
Appropriation budget (esti-
matcd) .................... l,652,95o 90
io-cent tax collected iu fall
OF 1929 testimated) $500. 100. 900 90
teueral AID ................. 10000 90
Total .................... {6.s52.s5o 90
1t must be remembered that from
the amount last named OF estimated
road income for the year 1923, there
must he an allowance made for main
tenance amounting to approximately
Sl;700.000, and also the sum OF $780,
600 appropriated for county aid roads,
If the gasoline tax is imposed, then
there should be added to the above
income approximately s750.000.
Gnsolfnc Tax.
AS previously stated, 1 am opposed
to any increased property tax under
present conditions, but on account OF
our urgent need for road construction
purposes, j feel that I may suggest
that the people will be willing to pay
a gasoline tax of cent on the gal
Ion, effective as of this year, due to
the fact that it is relatively small. is
paid only by those who use the thor
ouGhfares, and in. such manner that
1t ought not to cause complaint. This
tax has been found to be n satisfac-
tory one in the States wherein IL has
been enforced.
This tax should yield (of course,
the figures being speculative) from
100000 to 100000 annually. and
ut least 100000 of this amount
should be appropriated to county aid
construction or maintenance, as the
General Assembly may deem wise and
best. and the residue should find it's
way to the general road fund, to be
appropriated in accordance with your
wishes.
II in the wisdom of the General AS
sembly, in order to carry out more
speedy construction OF our highways.
1t is deemed proper to float bond
issue. then, this gasoline tax might
be used for paying interest and TAX
ing care of the sinking fund In con-
nection with such bond issue.
l believe that it is my duty to call
attention to the fact that the money
market is now such that Virginia
bonds could be sold, IL your body so
desires, on basis of 5 per cent at n
premium. or considerably less. Mt par:
and that labor can be readily had at
n reasonable cost.
Wo must recognize this great truth,
that it costs money to build roads,
and that the speed with which they
may be built is entirely dependent
upon tho amount furnished for this
purpose. And you. gentlemen of the
General Assembly. have upon you tho
solemn duty of deciding this ques-
ton.
Warning.
1t is resrettable that there seems
to be n tendency on the part of those
holding supervision OF our educa-
tional and other state Institutions to
eXpcnd sums In excess of the amount
appropriated by the General Assembly
to these respective institutions.
With emphasis, may not say that
this tendency is wrong in principle.
unjust in effect. and destructive of
confidence. 1t is, therefore. my duty
to express the hope that shall not
experience such action on tho part
Of any institution when the hour ar
rives to make up tho next budget, for
II such should BIO tho caso, 1t might
lead to grave embarrassment.
The State pust not BIO forced,
through unauthorized action on the