Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-04

ROAD
| Robertson act for contracts yet to
be let and not yet nllocatcd the
sum OF 32.55S.472.5S. but. OF course.
II Is understood that these funds are
given 10 improve sections of specific
routes in the communities where the
same is To be- advanced.
Since October /, 1922, and UP to
December l. 1922, there have been
agreements Cor advancemcnts to be
made under the Robertson act
amounting To approximately $4,000,
and, of course. this will have to be
spent in specific localities from which
the money is advanced.
To summarize the Robertson act
We VIII owe under this act for money
actually advanced, and yet TO be adj
Nanr"d ia order to complete the mile
az" above set forth. the sum of ST.
! O'3.N3 So and this constitutes a debt
against IN" state for that sum, and
after n! OF the agreements under
the Robertson act in existence UP TO
December !, 1922. are actually paid
TO the Highway Commission II Will
give Il total sum o: $3,i9S,4T2.5S in the
hands of the Highway Commission
To construct the specific roads In the
communities from which the funds
come and which amount Will also con
stitutc debt against State due to
the communities which advanced the
same.
In order that the public may un-
de:siand what the Robertson act is.
IN, b..
can advance money to the State and
pay the interest on same until the
state is able To pay the funds back
without interest.
New Funds Available for IO.3.
Onc-mil! tax 81. 700, 900
Federal government funds o7l.oOO
stat" appropriation .... 100000
Value OF convict labor . $4,000
Iota .................. s3.2l5. 900
might suggest az matter well
worth consideration that the Fed
era! money OF 1871 900 is only avail
ate when "a like amount is supplied
by the State from time to time. and
that The Sl.70O,000 mill tax IS no,
available until about December l.,
1928.
state Aid Continuation.
Tie report comes to me that the
state has assisted the counties in the
construction OF State aid roads and
bridges To approximately $500 miles
from the beginning OF the State aid
system No 10 October /, 1922. and that
sG.Oii,sOs.02 has been spent by the
state Tor that purpose. y portion of
th!S mileage was rebuilding The same
projects due 10 the lack OF a proper
maintenance plan in the early stages
Inf L.,
'N"r" was given to the State aid sys-
tom by the state from October !. 1921.
TO october J. 1929. s745.S27.75. ana
! mat there was completed on the
county highway systems during this
year, 2i3.5s miles: reconstructed
IL 81 miles. ana that thc<c are now
under contract 3SJ miles OF road and
hitccn bridges
state Aid Maintenance.
ma that the state gave for main
'"hance on State aid roads and
bridges from october !. 1921. TO Oc-
,oneT ]. l"22 S@33.2l7.5S. and that
. ms was expended on toe upkeep OF
Isl - miles OF state aid roads
Stntc Highway Department..
this department.. since Chairman
Sh'r!oy ca~ie into onicc, has been
thoroughly reorFnuiz"d aud is now
on working basis and prepared TO
rNnend, with the exception or "A few
ao'ir"na. engineers and clerks who
would have 10 he added. around slh
zoe" 200 . year OF course, If the fund
. not available, then the chairman
"i'i hay" :" reduce this force az
+. iIu'h rs possible. but this cannot be
acne IN proportion to tn" reduction
~ ~" amount 81 funds available un-
"'i inc 3lt,o0HG0n. as there are many
o' 'htSe expenses which will remain
Just the same. aud Mrs. shirley tells
me taat by being able to work his
'"'c" ana not disrupt his organiza-
'"n ana hcins able To call for larger
contracts thht hc feels he could
,AN' from 10 per cen, to ~ per cent
on IN: cost Q; road construction. In
'' H'i 10 got rs nearly perfect service
'"' 20! The Highway Department or
t"h!Hatipn. II must keep work ahead
o. u in sum. from SS.0O0,UOO to SO
E.n'Hn &" that plans can always be
''iNi" the commission. and there viii
'' D." h"s!iancy IN going on with his