Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1922-09-15
STATE HrcHws COMMISSION
NASS.

MAJ,
Richmond, Va, sept. 1S.-Follow-
ing the statement made by Henry G.
Shirley, chairman of the State High
way Commission that the letting of
State highway contracts out of cur
rent State ard edefal funds during
1923 would be virtually at stand
still and that the State Highway
Commission would have faced the
necessity of borrowing money to fin
sh out this year had not the en-
barge on road material curtailed work
on contracts under way, the EXecu-
tive Committee of the Virginia Good
Roads Association at their meeting
N Richmond last week urged in u
strong resolution that special ses-
sion of the General Assembly be held
in November. The holding of the cleo
tions to fill vacancies during the gen.
eral election was advocated. Tho
previous stand Of the Association for
bond issue of $12,000,000 to bo
financed. out of the proceeds of the
gasoline tax was endorsed Members
of the Committee from all over the
State answered the call of President
G. Elliott of Roanoke, to attend tho
meeting. When brought in contact
with the critical situation us to the
lack of funds by Chairman Shirley
of the State Highway Commission,
each member agreed to drop his bust
ness and work to place Governor
Trinkle i'll position to call the eX-
ira session.
A canvas of the attitude of the
members of the General Assembly
indicated clear majority in both
Houses for the bond issue as n num-
Der of members Of both Houses have
changed their attitude to the bond is
sue since the 1922 session. These
changes had reflected the change in
sentiment on the part of the people
of the State.
On invitation of the Committee,
Chairman Shirley made statement
of what could be expected in road
building for the balance of tho year
and during 1923. The State Highway
Commission chairman stated that
were it not for the embargo OIL road
materials, the Commission would be
com PEELED to borrow money before
tho end of tho year to pay the month
ily estimates on contracts which would
have been let and under way. This
would have meant holding back con-
tracts other than those financed by
loans made by counties under the
Robertson act.
In 1928 there will be available IN
proximately 100000 of Federal
and State funds for new contracts.
said Mr.. Shirley. OF this amount ST.,
ouO,O0O Or more would be from the
mill tax, which would not he collect
ed until December, 1923, and which,
therefore, could not be used until
late in the year. Unless provision is
made by the General Assembly. the
state Highway Department. will prac
ideally mar kline on State Highway
construction excepting with Robert
son Act funds. The amount of money
available would build during 1923 a
little over mile OF hard-surfaced
road per county. When the large
gaps on important highways are con-
sldered, there is little hope OF filling
these in for n long time to come.
Mr.. Shirley stated that the organi-
cation had been expanded as far MS
the Commission dared to go with the
limited funds in sight. The Commits
STOP he told the good roads advo
Gates, has an organization prepared
to build fifty miles of completed road
per month. This could easily be in
creased to seventy-five or more n,
the moneyis provided. He stated thar
the Commission could economically
expend $12,000,0OG in 1928. To do
this it would be necessary to know
by January 1, that the money would
be available. If the Commission. he
said, knew that $12,OO0,00O would
be available, it would be their policy
to let all the contracts during the
winter and early spring months. so
that a greater part of the work, II
not all, could be completed during
the calendar year, taking advantage
of every good working day of the
year. He called attention to the eco
Monies in carrying through a COM
prehensive program. He estimated n
saving of Mt least 10 per cent. Larg-
err contracting organizations would be
interested in bidding if q number of
contracts were offered A large part
of the overhead in the moving of
machinery Is the Same on n small lob
as on large job. This is also true
with reference to the State, as en-
g1neers and inspectors can look after
a large contract with small addition
nj pncf Nytar N n,N,n