Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-01

administration OF four years as Gov
ernor of Virginia. His tenure o.
Office included the period of the grca
war. and he will take his place Will
other Old Dominion war Governors.
He took office during the 1918 ses.
sion of the General Assembly. Prob
ably the most notable achievement
of his administration was the enact
ment and the establishment of tho
budget system of appropriate atoms. lie
secured the passage of the measure
by the General Assembly, and In 1926
IL was put into operation for the
first time. Known as the Virginia
plan. II since has been adopted by
North Carolina. South Carolina. Flor
ida. Oklahoma, Wyoming, Arizona
Colorado and Idaho.
Elected to office while the United
States was at war. Governor Davis
took Il leading part in the organiza :
ton of a State council of defense.
Marshaling resources and utilizing
the heads of departments. he accom-
p1ished. by the expenditure of few
thousands of dollars, what it cost
other States much more to accom-
plish. The work of the Virginia
council received the commentator of
Secretary of the Interior Lane.
Cut Down Expenditures.
- .
made appropriations exceeding anticl-
pated revenues of the State by more
than a million dollars, Governor
Davis recalled the Legislators and
made specific suggestions whereby
the appropriation was reduced more
than 100000.
He advocated and appointed Il State
purchasing agent, and the State pur-
chasing system has become operative,
cffecting numerous economies.
In 1920. when property was re-
assessed, the State Tax Board of
which he was n member. through him
as chairman. wrote a letter to all
assessors calling attention to the fact
;hat through imitation of the cur
rcncy all land values were greatly
enhanced. and that the Tax Board
expected the assessors to bear in
mind values under normal condi-
lions, He appointed farmers on all
state boards
Developed Bccf Cattle.
lie recommended In the budget for
1s22-l9e4 an appropriation OF slS.4o0
for the development of beef cattle
department at the Virginia Polytech-
mic Institute, an annual increase of
$4,000 in the appropriation for the
Division OF Markets, an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for an additional lime
grinding plant. and an annual appro-
priation OF $4,000 for the Virginia
Crop Improvement Associa ton.
He convened the managers of the
States industries and those engaged
In transportation and commerce to
discuss measures TO avert the shut
tag down of plants when coal
shortage was threatened because Of
the extraordinary European demand
Tor coal.
He secured for Virginia n fair allo-
cation of sugar when there was a
national shortage.
He urged workmen's compensa-
ton law. With existing State officers
as Its administrators, and vetoed the
bill because it required new officers.
The bill was passed over his veto.
Sets Up Prison Reforms.
Under Governor Davis administra-
tiOn new Industrial system replaced
the old contract labor system at the
State Pcnitentiary; a new system OF
management and discipline has been
inauguratcd. the striped Earb of the
prisoners has been abandoned. the
races have been separated. an audit
ing and final system has been intro
duced. and provision has been made
for the religious direction and super
vision of prisoners.
Governor Davis supported and APP
proved the West law, insuring the
physical inspection and protection of
chiltEen in tho public schools. and
approved appropriations for putting
that measure into effect.
With the approval of Governor
Davis. countyaid plan for rural
sanitation. in which the State PAYS
the cost Of supervision and uppro-
sDriatcs q part Of the money nccned
Tor the local work, has been inuug-
uratcd. ~
Indicative of thu. pEogrcss In cduca-
ton In Virginia during Governor
Davis administration. in 1913. the
school enrolment was i74.0oO: in
1920 II was $4,000. In 1915 the total
amount expended for public educa-
ton was S7.6l..0O0; in 1920 ii was
Sl3,19O.O00. In 1915 The total amount
spent III teachers salaries was ST.
lafuoO: in 1929 IL Was approx
SS.ocO.ooo. In 1915 the average teach
rrs annual salary was S322; in 1870
II was $t5s.
Urged Help fur Schools.
In his message TO the General AS
semDiy now in session, Governor
Davis urged that the public free
school system OF Virginia H., rivcn
careful consideration.
Since February /. 1918 laS5 nilos
OF roads OF the state Highway Svs-
TEN have been taken over bv iba
state. approximately $50 miles are
under construction now, which /, is
expected viii be completed before
the END OF 1922. In carrying out IN.
authorized program OF road cons;ruc-
tioh' The state Highway Department,
was governed by business and indus
iriai conditions. such as the scarcitv
OF labor, the high cost of Inntcri:,Is
ana supplies, and other matters AZ
icctihG IN" cos; of road buil,Iip,,
MANY OF the improvements coni.ue-
pared Tor 1920 were POSTPONED untn
i9zi-a policy which saved the Srnin
IN lower prices for labor and not.'
Iials' an amount which may be con
$1,000. 900 '''''' '''"h
The amount appropriated for roads
LOT the year ending February ~
1871 was sS,]S7.4l5. or 3G2 ncr COW,
or appropriations FOR all purposn.
FOR the year ending February 9S
i9z2 IN" amount Appropriated wa.
S6.ssi.5i6. or 32.5 per cent Of All
appropriations '
Governor Davis convened m.
boards OF all State institutions. thc
school trustees the land assessors
hH the game wardcns to discuss
ways and means OF improving rural
~ 90