Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-02-02
By II. z. BYRD

Mr.. II: c. Elliot, of Roanoke, presi.
dent OF the Good Roads Association
is displeased with my advocacy of a
gasoline tax and my opposition to a
bond issue. He seems to think that
the Good Roads Association is a SUI
per-goyermental agency and that tc
question its propaganda is treason to
the state. am properly impressed
with the power of his organization
but L must insist that both as an in
dlyldual and as a state senator have
a right to express my opinion on pub
lie matters.
In the statement to which Mr.. Ell
hot takes exception l endeavored to
state facts, and avoided all personaIi-
Ties. Mr.. Elliot without any appar.
ent justification has INDUCED in per.
sonailtles which while offensive adds
nothlnS to the strength of his argu-
ment. His opinion OF me, however. is
not OF sufficient Importance to chal-
ienge my attention and the serious
ness Of the issues compels me to de-
cline personal controversies, which
VIII neither interest nor enlighteu
the public. To his argument on the
bond question 1 gladly give serious
consideration.
~ He says that I have suggested
no middle road. A middle road is a
road over which all persons desirins
to reach certain point may agree tt
travel. It's selection involves com.
promises. The point to be reached
IS the building of roads. Some desire
to reach it by bond issues; others by
a pay as you go policy. All agree
that gasoline tax is an essentia.
factor whichever way is finally Sc,
Iected. My middle road is an agree.
ment upon gasoline tax as an emer.
Sency measure, leaving the selection
OF permanent plan to the voters al
the November election. If the people
are in favor of bond issues, its adyo.
Gates will not have long to wait. Il
they are opposed to bond issues. the
General Assembly will not be JUST.
fled in providing one.
(2) Mr.. Elliot charges that 1 have
taken the Highway Department tt
task for giving out information. anc
that the officials of that department
nave as much right to advocate {
bond issue as l as a senator ant
state, chairman have to oppose &
bond issue. What l did say was this:
1t is the business of the High
way Department to recommend
what money is needed and then
to efficiently expend the money
provided. 1t is the business of the
peoples representatives to say
how much money it may expend
and how such money shall be
raised"
l stand by this statement. The High.
way Commission is an executive de.
partment. 1t is created and its dutie,
defined by law. 1t is against publ,
policy that an executive agency en-
trusted with the expenditure of mil
lions OF dollars should use its power
to control the discretion of the legis
, lature and demand more millions. 1
is not a fact that I have used an,
political influence pertaining to th,
Craftsmanship of the Democratic Com
mittee in the bond fight. I did no
seek the craftsmanship l was electe,
to 1t by unanimous choice of tn.
committee, men and women. I wa.
state senator before I was state chair
man. My position in opposition to tn,
bond issue was well known at tn,
time of my election as chairman.
(3) Mr.. Elliot says that the propose
to submit the bond issue to the peo
pie is play for time because eat tn
November elections in 1920 this sol
question was propounded and afte
an exhaustive campaign divorced from
personal or political consideration tn
people by a majority of 62.357 de
clded in favor of bond issue" He /
again mistaken. The people in 1872
did no such thing. What they did d.
was by constitutional amendment t
give the power to the General AS
sembly to issue bonds-a power whic]
had been denied it by the constitu
ton of 1902. When and how, or if ever
bonds are to be issued, was left t
the discretion of the General Assemb
tiy.
At the election of 1921 a ney
House of Delegates was elected IN
posed to bond issue. They came t
Richmond with mandate from th
people against a bond issue. On Jan
uary IL, 1922, the Smithey resolution
| Resolved by the House of Del
egates OF Virginia that we pledge
| TO the people of this state that
We will not issue bonds for pub-
lie improvements at this session
was adopted by vote OF rs to IL
subsequently bond issue bill pass
ed by bare majority in a hold owe
senate and was defeated in the newl
elected House by decisive majorit,
Mr.. Elliot makes it matter of re
lproach to me that have asserted til
sacredness Of pledges made by q can