Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-02
MARYLAND GOOD ROADS


division of the league, has issued circu-
lar letter to all of the members of the or
&c nization in the State. The letter is in
the interests of good roads, and reads:
lowing to the opposition in some quar-
tiers to the creation of new offices the
Maryland Division, L. A. W., has decided
to abandon the two bills which ii has been
urging, not that we feel any doubt as to
their being the best which could be de-
vised to meet the diverse conditions of the
whole state, but because We are willing to
concur with other citizens of Maryland in
urging the passage of any just law tending
to an improvement of the highways. BY
placing the matter in the hands. of the
state geological survey, as proposed by the
inclosed bill, We avoid the creation of new
offices and at the same time secure the
services of men who have the confidence
of the people, and who need no better rec
Ommendation than the splendid work they
have done in the past.
THE statement has been made that the
wheefmen are unwilling to bear any part
of the expense attendant on the building
Of good roads. This is hardly the case. as
moments thought will demonstrate.
Two-thirds Of every appropriation made
from the state treasury are borne by the
cities, and as the wheelmen live to a large
extent in the cities. they consequently pay
their due proportion OF any general tax.
If any one has the right to object to an ap-
preparation for good roads it is certainly
the people of the Cities who are only in
directly benefited by them. Furthermore.
the wheelmen, as a body, do not object to
paying special tax on their wheels, pro-
vfded other pleasure vehicles are taxed,
ard taxed with some consideration of the
difference in wear-on the roads.
THE wheelmen are not a lot of harum-
scarum boys, but a set of earnest, thought
full men, to whom the welfare of the state
comes before their interests as cyclists
They give their time and ability willingly
for the cause Of the general need-good
rceds-without hope or possibility of re-
ward other than that afforded by the
knowledge of duty done
The time Is now at hand when farmers
and wheelmen alike should stand under the
one banner of good roads and fight Shout
der to shoulder fer the good of the state
BE you farmer or wheelman, and. the pro-
posed bill meets with your approval write
70 your representatives at Annapolis and
tell Them they must not come home until
they have used every effort to make IL a
law"
The full text Of the new bin is given he-
low. Another bill, varying slightly from
this is in the hands of the WAYS and mesns
committee Of the state legislature but th,
iolloM1ng bill Is the one approved by the
A bill, entitled IAN act to confer addi-
tiona! powers upon the commission estab-
l.shed by the act of general assembly al
the session OF lSs6. chapter III. by providing
Tor the Investigation Of the question of
road construction in this state, and for the
preparation OF reports thereon, and to
make an appropriation therefor"
section !. Be 1t enacted by the general
assembly of Maryland, That the commis
sion established by the act of the general
assembly OF Maryland at the session of
1S96. chapter 81, be, and the same is here
Dy, authori2eu to make provision for the
investigation Of road construction In Mary
land.
Sec. 2. And be 1t enacted, That the said
commission be. and the same e hereby,
authorized 10 appoint. under the direction
OF the superintendent OF the surrey, such
assistants aud other employees as they shall
deem Necessary. and the said commission
shall also descImfne the compensation of
all persons Employed. and may remove
them at pleasure.
Sec. &. And be It enacted Tina. the said
commission shall zee that proper invsstiga-
ton Is made ci the condition of the roads
In this state. and Of the hest means OF I'M
Proving ire same, together with a study of
the classification and distribution OF the
road building matsriols q. TIKI several coun-
ties.
Sec. f. And be II enacted, That the said
commission shall see that report upon
the state Of the roads and the best method
CT improving, constructing and maintain
ing the same. with estimates OF costs. -ex-
peLses and plans, be submitted at the next
session OF the legislature, and the special
reports be prepared at such time as they
are deemed necessary.
Sec. s. And be 1t enacted. That the said
commission shall see that record ID kept OF
an its preceedings, and OF all moneys re-
ceived and spent under its direction. for
what purposes, which record and account
shall lie submitted to the said commission
at the semi-annnal MEETINGS of the same.
to take place In March and November
such records and accounts to be always
open to the inspection Of any committee
which the legislature may appoint,
See g. And be It enacted, That all mon
eys paid out ON account Of this work shall
be paid BY the state treasurer upon the
order Of the executive offieer OF the COM
misston fudorsed by the controller.
6ec. Z And be It enacted, That the sum
OF Q0000 annually. or 20 much thereof a.
may be necessary. Be. and the same u
hereby, appropriated cat az any money In
the Treasury not otherWise appropriated
for the purpose OF carrying ont the pro-
Vlalona a. fAiB ocE g 9
Bee s. Ana be II further enacted, rhax
this act sls1r take eaEect upon the date Of
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