The Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1927-1930, 1928-02-02
GOVERNOR BYRD
!. MAKES SPEECH

Richmond, Va, Jan. % OF
peculiar. interest to rural comm
mites will be found those por-
lions Of Governor Byrds MAYOR
Legislative addresses IN when
he discussed the Importance OF
rural roads and rural schools.
The Executive recommends
an increase in the State school
appropriation for the next bien
MUM Of $1,250,000. This will be
distributed to the counties ano
cities of the State on a basis OF
school population so that every
section will equally benefit from
this increased appropriation for
public schools.
The Governor also strongly
approves Of the report OF the
Educational Commission as to
economy in the administration
of public schools and as to the
elimination of duplication in
education and the so-called un-
necessary frills.
An important part of the plan
proposed in the executive mess
age is the recommendation that
1900 miles of country roads be
added to the State system, $50
miles this year and $50 miles
next year, which, at the aver
age rate of construction $780,
900 per mile), would mean re-
lief to the counties for MAINTAIN
lance and in additional cost of
construction when the roads are
built, of approximately 100000
900.
The Governor expressed deep
interest in what he speaks of as
the farm to market roads, and
in this connection favors the
continuing of the ~ cent gas
tax now distributed to the coun-
ties for county roads. This tax
will amount. to- $5,000,000 dur
ing the next few years, and will
show a large increase each year.
In order that the State be in
position to finance the addition
al 1.50O miles taken over by it
from the county system the Gov
-ernor says: 81 approve of the
recommendation of the Commits
lion on Motor Vehicle Questions
to increase the gasoline tax
from Az cents pers gallon Ito 5
cents. This should be an emerg-
ency measure, effective on pass
age, and the entire, proceeds of
the additional half by the 1900.
miles of additional mileage" n
The Governor pointed out
that in many sections the peop-
lie are already paying the half
cent gas tax; as the retail price
was raised in many. cases by
two cents when the. ~ cent gas
tax was added in 1926. In any
case, he said,fa one half cent adj
ditional tax means only $2.26
per year, or less than one cent a
day. This will enable the inclu-
sion of 1900 new miles in the
State system, thus relieving the
Counties and providing more
and better roads. The General
Treasury fund will be increased,
as every cent Of the gas tax go
es for road construction, thus
benefiting directly those who
pay the tax.
The Governor recommends in
his message that expert engin-
eering advice from the State Hi
-qhway Department be furnish
ed County authorities without
cost in engineering and road
building. Also thatSthe facilities
of the State Purchasing Depart
mert be placed without charge
at the disposition Of thecouitieS
for the securing of highway sup
-nlies. That a unified county
road law be adopted for the Sta
te. setting forth the several me-
thods of county road admins
tration and permitting the bo-
ard of supervisors of3each coun-
tv to select the method best adj
apted to the needs of hat coun-
tv. That 1900 miles be added to
the State Highway System.