Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-20

make, adequate provision for inanc-
ing highway construction in the
state. and pointed out tho needs of
inc department. together with meth
"ds for providing these needs. He
said in part:
Is 10 be regretted that we can
not ut the present time avail our
selves OF conditions which obtain
"neh contractors are looking for
work and labor is plentiful. bringing
"oou' conditions which would war
'""' large construction program. .
Cost To Virginia.
II mas cost the State of Virginia
of chSiheerinG and administration
VI 'he highway Department G2-3 per
cent OF the funds expended. This
COMPARES most favorably with tho
COST In other States. / believe that
might he possible to further re-
uuce ,his overhead cost should the
state ADOPT a more definite financial
policy for its highway work. allow
ing the letting of larger contracts
ana continuity of work.
MI OIL the FUNDS made available by
the GENERAL Assembly of Virginia or
ny me Congress of the United states
up 10 the 1st of January OF this year
nave been expended. or are now UNI
oer contract. with the exception OF
stEerai small sections to he let in
'"c hc"r iuture. or as soon rs we
receive Federal approval, and
mounts set aside for the extension
Of work carried on with our nrison
labor.
Available This Year.
We viii have available. for 400
approximately 100000 from the auto
mobile fund. which is now in tho
course OF collection. We will have
approximately s1.70O.OOO from the
proceeds Of the 1-mill tax which will
ne collected in the fall of this year.
put not available for expenditures i'm
W p'cemprr. To this YOU can add
~ N''ue OF the prison labor, which
VIII approximate 100000 to s35O 900
ana any appropriations to he made
ny the General Assembly. In addition
10 these there has recently been
made available by the Congress of
me United states for the year 1922 n
it;le over S1.ioO.00O ADEQUATE nro-
vision should be made by the Genera,
Assembly, now In session. to make
available Immediately funds to moot
thiS appropriation. 1t In the hon. of
ms department and the general ex-
P'c'au"n or the highway depart
=, va 'Ht Sni'cu states that the
congress Will make available further
amounts rs OF July / of this year.
Plans To Rnisc Funds.
Several plans have been suggested
ana outlined for raising OF funds for
highway purposes:
First-By direct taxation.
me second plan contcmpla,es the
issuing by the State of bonds for
"'th"aS purposes. In my recent re
port TO the Governor OF the State
nave recommended that provision
Sho"!a De made for the Issuing of
approximately S6,00o.oo0 during the
ing 1923
In addition to the foregoing rccom.
menda'!ons to further emphasize.
flrsi: Tint adequate provision he
made by the General Assembly to
hnance properly the construction of
the highways OF the State within a
time
Second: That we should take over
Tor maintenance the whole OF the
state highway system, and that aGc-
Guatc financial provision should he
made by the General Assembly for
this important work
Third; That some fair and equita-
bic right Of way law be enacted.
Vest Dody with Power
Fourth: That the State Highway
Commission instead OF the State
Highway Commissioner be given full
authority after public hearings. to
designate the location of highways
between points set out in the act
establishing the State highway sys-
tenn
Fifth: 1t has been the policy of
the Highway Commissioner since
the orranizatioh OF the State High
Blood Hunors