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

My recommendations arc as fol-
lows:
J.. Being led to the firm conclusion
that the people OF Virginia demand
complete reorganization of our
present Highway Department. there
iorc suggest that this department. rs
~ present organized. cease to func-
ton as Of July l next.
2. Whether justifiablc or not. tho
tact remains that the people are not
satisfied with the present plan OF
handling our road dcvcioment. and
the confidence In this department
must be ge-establishcd before the pco-
pie Will willingly support an active,
progressive program which will de-
iEand the early expenditure OF many
millions OF dollars. firmly believe
That II such reorganization is accom-
plished as will lend the people TO the
belief that our laws are so perfected
ana guarded as to reasonably guar
untcc TO them economical and
cautious expenditure of whatever
FUNDS they may provide. that then
there VIII he no hesltancy on their
part 10 furnish Hi funds necessary TO
complete quickly modern highway
system throughout the Common
wealth. Until this is done. am fear
ful that II means n development OF
slow order with unsatisfactory re-
suits.
3. need hardly state that road
building has two chief clements
ore. the business side: and the other.
the technical OF engineering side. and
that both Of these elements. recurring
such different types of mentality. can
rarely be found In one man, even
were the combined duties not 80 gen
erous as 10 he beyond the point of
physical endurance
], therefore. suggeBt that the Gov
ernor should appoint the State High
way Commissioner. who should BIO
tho executive hcnd OF the department.
n man OF proven business qualiNca-
lions. and be paid a full time salary
commensurate with tho result no ia
expected to produce. Then the Gov
ernor. to whom the people Of tho
state arc looking primarily for re-
suits. VIII be able to look to the
commissioner and demand them OF
him. thus insurinS individual re-
sponsibility-so essential TO execu-
ton and tho sine qua non OF salts
factory achievements.
The Governor should also be nj
lowed to appoint four other members
who. along with the commissioner, as
chairman. shall constitute what Is to
be known as the state Highway
Commission Of Virginia" These men.
removable Mt tho pleasure OF the Gov
ernor. should he selected from the
1--WE grand geographical divisions OF
the State. this giving to all sections
reasonable representation.
the four members of the State
chairman, should be allowed as pay
Tor their services reasonable per
diem and expenses for such time as
they may actually serve
rms commission should be allowed
to locate routes between designated
points in the highway system. routes
already located in pursuance OF law
to DO changed only BY act of tho
General Assembly; to allocate funds
TO different road projects: TO fix
salaries. subject to executive nm
proval. of the State highway engineer
and other employees OF the depnrt-
ment; to approve contracts. and to
mako traffic rules and regulations.
A. The State Highway Commits
sioner should be allowed TO appoint
the highway engineer, removable nj
his pleasure: thus giving him "A per-
son on whom there Will rest indi-
Fidual responsibility for engineering
and constructive results.
Tho engineer, with the same mower
OF employment and removal, should
be allowed to name those who are TO
work under him. This will create.
from tho Governor down, n complete
chain OF individual responsibilItv.
which Is absolutely essential and
necessary in work of the character
ana nature to be done by the High
way Department.
Unless the Highway Commissioner
were permitted to select his chief
engineer, the scheme OF accountability
would DO broken, and IL would he
difficult to find one who would assume
the responsibility of results in the
capacity Of State Highway Commits
sioner IL he were denied this privilege
In other words, the well-cstablished
law OF responsibility of the subordin-
ate to his immediate superior must
prevail from the highest to the low
est official or employe of this de-
pnrtment,
5. Under the preceding recon-
mendation. each superior official or
cmploye having the power to remove
his immediate subordinate, the State
Is Insured that It shall not suffer in
the event an error is made in the
selection of any employe; otherwise
mistake In judgment of selection
would continue it's evil effect until
the expiration of definite term Of
employment. No capable man would
ucSiTo 10 continue IN oticc II his SER
vices were not satisfactory and pro-
ducing fruitful results.
shall not undertake to go into
further details than 1 have set forth
above, Intended as mere skeleton
of the new formation of tho depart-
ment, except to ask the General As
sembiy to study well the bills now
before them on the reorganization OF
the Highway Department and to
adopt that bill which in their Wis
dom will lead us to expect results to
be achieved. the people to be salts
fled and, IL not now, very shortly to
exhibit n spirit of Willingness to pro-
vide the necessary funds.
May 1t not be said. gentlemen of
the Assembly. that ] have given to
you my best thought on this subject.
with no other desire than to serve;
but IL. in your wisdom. these sugges-
lions are not regarded as snfe and
sound then bear in mind that what
ever law you may enact shall have
my most earnest and undivided sup
port. and that nothing will DC left
undonc on my part to accomplish the
result wo SO sincerely desire.
Highway Funds.
In order that the people of the
Commonwealth may know something
Of the funds, as nearly as may be
m Iculntel that will hc available for