Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-08
BY REX COLLIER.

Virginia has closed the gap that
less than n decade ago marked her DO
sition on the good roads map of the
United States.
Time was when the heavy black
lines denoting paved highways con
Meeting the North and South faded
into the ominous dots and dashes that
spelled. In motorists code, Here be-
gins Virginia"
1t was a poignants warning that
tourists who wished TO visit one Of
Americas most historic regions had
better park their automobiles at the
state boundary line--or else trust to
luck and their engines to pull them
through some Of the worst roads in
the world.
The telltale splotches of red and
yellow clay and mud on wheels and
tenders of touring automobiles evoked
the inevitable conclusion: Hes been
in Virginia" with the Complementary
remark. Il wonder why" or lie
should have known better"
Mud barred Tourists.
The mud coniured up visions OF
Chappawamsic swamp. the great no
man s-land that intcrposed itself as an
almost insurmountabie barrier %
tourists who wished TO so from the
National Capital 10 the capital of the
Confederacy: Of teams OF farm horses
pulling stranded automobiles from
fender deep morasscs: Of hapless mo-
florists noundering up to their knees
In slime.
Virginia. though rather procrasti'
mating In comparison with somes other
states, In making up for lost time
now. Under the guidance OF an able
road engineer and practical" drea m
er, Henry q. shirley. the OLA Domin
ion has succeeded In throwing off the
muddy chains that held her stationary
and In becoming one Of the leaders ~
Americas good roads movement.
Under the ''pay.as.you'go" systen1
instituted several years ago. Virginia =
highways are growing In be IN favor
ably known nowadays ms they once
were noted for their !mpassahiliis.
a ~, cent gasoline tax. part III the
proceeds of which so To the various
counties for road construction and the
rema Under To the State Highway Com
misaion for state roads, has brought
about a remarkable extension In all
directions Of virginia's highway sys
TEN.
System Covers $500 Miles.
The State highway system now EN-
bruces soms SaaD miles Of road. most
of which In Of In ri surfaced material
such as macadum, oil or conerete,
'nder the broad program Of State and
county co.operation laid down Ivy Gov
Byrd there are being stretched be
tween the main traffic arteries excel
lent lateral roads Of county construc
ton a nd maintenance. thus opening I.
TRANSFORMATION and development re
mote sections Of the State that have
remained dormant since the civil
War
Tourists now do not approach with
fear and trepidation n projected trii
to Richmond or the historic Valley ri
Virginia. With the opening to publ,
travel during the past year of the final
link OF the Richmond, Washington
highway, Virginia sent forth to the
world q hearty welcome 10 visitors
who appreciate the safety and com
fort Of motoring over the most modern
l,pe nj cement highways In quest ot
hjstotie Id ndmafks and unairpa ased
natural scenery.
The claim has been made by those
who i've along this magnificent piece
Of road that Its 100 mile stretch IN Dor
dered by more important places al
historic interest than any either high
way nf similar length In the country
They point 10 Its course through his
iories Arlington t'aunty and thence
thr0Ueh Aleka hdria, with It's hailowe I'd
colonial hss6eia lions. and on into the
hills Of Fairfax County, trod b,
George Washington IN Il surveyor IN