The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-25
A STATE ROAD Law.
Draft of Bill to Be Submitted by
the Maryland League.

| hands of the executive committee, in its dis.
| cretion to be submitted to the Legislature al
the coming session, and it is probable that
the matter will be discussed at the road con-
vention, which will be re-convened in Balti.
more about the middle of next month.
The committee on Legislation, Henry w
Williams, chairman, by the report divides the
subject into three phases-the economic,
the engineering and the administrative. I'm
der the first is included questions concerning
| the amount of money which may be profita-
| bly, spent each year on the roads by the State
or by the various counties concerning the
feasibility of the issuing of bonds by the State
or counties for road improvements and if So
to what extent; also, the division of the ex-
penses of maintaining and constructing high
ways. These questions the committee has
seen fit to leave alone for the present, chiefly
because neither expert assistance nor money
was available for collecting necessary data.
1t is the committee belief thai a proper
investigation should be made Of this matter
by competent authorities.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PROPOSED.
While the engineering side of the question,
involving such Considerations as climatic in
huence, geological formations, drainage.
traffic and the like, present difficult prob
| lem, the committee finds its solution, as far
as legislation is concerned, to be simple. The
conclusion is unavoidable, it says, that this
side of the question cannot be dealt with by
any one not Il trained road engineer.
1t is suggested that ii would be desirable
that the State should create an engineering
department and place its services at the com.
mand of the various counties, the latter not
to be compelled 10 commit their roads to the
charge of the State engineers, but to thus be
given the opportunity to avail themselves Of
1 i r
department would be entirely technical, the
committee thinks that it should be under the
absolute control Of first class civil engineer,
who should have both power and response
bility. 1t recommends that he be paid sal
airy of $1,000 year. that he be appointed for
four years, and that his bond be placed at
S., 600. The minimum appropriation neees
sary for this department is placed at $4,000
annually.
COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION.
Regarding the administration of the roads
in the counties, the committee considers II
evident that since the counties are to bear all
the expenses they must retain entire control.
The system of administration by supervisors
is condemned and it is recommended that it
be abolished.
The finances and general controi, in the
opinion of the committee, should be left in
the hands of the county commissioners, but
the report advises that the administration OF
the roads and bridges should be committed
to county board to be appointed by the
county commissioners. Such board. it is
suggested, should be, to Il certain extent, per-
manent; should consist of residents of the
county and should have the benefit of expert
advice and assistance.
1t is advised that each board shall consist
of three members, 10 be appointed for three
years, one member going out of Office each
year They would serve without pay, but
liberal provisions would be made for their
expenses.
The committee deems it right that the va
rious county boards should be authorized to
call upon the State engineering department
for advice and assistance without expense to
them. unless they desire surveys made or
such work done as would necessate addition
al expense to the department. In this way
the boards would be furnished with the best
possible engineering assistance without any
cost whatever. This system was adopted IN
England under the highway act of 1862. and
to It's successful working the committee attri
butes the excellence of Engand's roads at
the present day.
CONSTANT REPAIR ADVOCATED.
The report declares that it is necessary that
the roads should be kept in constant repair
and not merely be put in order at wide inter.
walls. To this end 1t advises that the county
boards he encouraged to employ working
corps, which should constantly keep the
roads in repair.
Since such plan would require money for
its promotion, the committee recommends
that the right of farmers 10 work out their
road taxes be abolished and that the county
boards be directed, under proper
mt,
struction and reconstruction, done by-eon-
tract and be authorized to contract tor re
pairs with the consent OF the county commits
sionerS.
The report says that many matters other
than those touched upon have been consid
cred by the committee, regarding which the
committee does not at this time feel willing
to make recommendations.
DRAFT OF THE BILL.
The bill which accompanies the report oil
the committee on legislation includes the most
important matters dealt with in the report.
Its title is ''An Act for the More Perfect
Construction and Maintenance of the Roads
and Bridges of this State" 1t embraces
thirty four sections. The duties of the State
road and highway engineer is defined, TO.
gether with the amount OF salary to be paid
him and his term of Office.
IL is provided that the encouragement
shall, at the request of the Governor, give
counsel and opinion to such officer, and that
the latter shall be provided with suitable OF.
fees and equipment and shall be empowered
to employ such engineers, clerks and other
assistants at such salaries as the board of
public works may. upon his application, ap.
prove.
He shall submit to the Governor on or be-
fore January 1st, 1896, and every two years
thereafter, report upon the condition OF the
roads and bridges of the State and the best
methods of constructing and maintaining the
same, with estimates of costs, expenses OF
the like, and shall suggest some general plan
of administration thereof, either by the State
or The counties or jointly, or such changes IN
the present methods as may recommend them
selves to him.
Upon the approval of the board of public
works, the State engineer shall be empow-
cred to purchase stone breaking machines,
to set them up at convenient places and to
supply stone to the county boards at cost
price, He shall further keep record of all
his proceedings and his expenses to be fur
nished to the Governor on July LIST, of each
year.
All moneys paid out on account of this de-
partment shall be paid out OF the State treas
ury upon the order of the State engineer,
indorsed by the Comptroller.
TERN OF SERVICE.
The bill then provides that the appoint
ment and duties of a county beard in each
county, already described, and stipulates that
the first appointment of the board shall be on
March LIST, 1894.
The board shall elect its president and sec
Rotary and make its own bylaws. Records
shall be kept of all its proceedings and copies
of all its plans aud estimates, and report
shall be rendered on or before March Isl of
each year, or when required by the county |
commissioners.
Such boards shall have general charge of
the construction and maintenance of the !
roads and bridges, provided that the county |
commissioners in EACH county shall open and
close the highways as now provided by law.
1t is provided that the board shall adyer
tise for proposals for any work to cost over
$500, and describes the methods of dsposing
of The bids thus received. All contracts shall
be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, /