The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-03-19
OUTCRY AGAINST THE BAD ROADS.
Complaint Becomes General With the
Obening of Spring

~ANAy w AtiA bllC passing vi biiC
frost and water of winter a general
cutlery against the conditions recurs
in the counties as regularly as the
plants become green again. Obser-
vations, however, indicate one ele-
ment of good promise in the common
| dissatisfaction-ith has already led to
some positive steps for real and per-
manent improvements and holds the
prospectsofIfurther advances toward
| the right result. The officers of the
Maryland Geological Survey, who
have followed carefully the popular
tendency during the past few years,
aressatisfied that the drift of affairs is
firmly set toward efficient road
methods more proper to the needs of
thesstate and the present time than
the scattering efforts by which the
highways have been unsuccessfully
administered heretofore. Although
some few have failed to note this ten
dency, most careful observers are sat
isfied of its existence. The question
now most pertinent-one raised seY-
eral times of late-concerns the means
by which the result can best be pro-
NOTED. The Maryland Geological
Survey began its road work in 1868 in
the full recognition of unfavorable
conditions. Although it feels that
these conditions are not the best it
gives them its full recognition be-
cause they are the conditions never
theless. The.Survey's work is pro-
jected in the belief that the best re-
suits will come at last with the least
evil froml cooperation rather than
form opposition. The road funds of
Maryland are now administered by
county commissioners though an I'M
wieldy number of road supervisors.
No thoughtfuliman will say that such
laxity of organization and its lack of
expert knowledge and technical super
vision are beneficial The Survey
makes for improvement, however, by
acting with the commissioners and
supervisors rather than against them
by helpingithem rather than hinder
ing both them and itself. 1t has
take.tthis course in the belief that
county officers as well us private cit
liens will appreciate the advantages
for good public works over bad roads,
if only they can be made familiar
with the good ones. This belief has
been justified by the experience of
five years.
When it commenced its work the
Surveys highway division was re-
garded askance and, in some quarters,
even with suspicion. Since then it
has come into confidential relations
with the commissioners of half the
counties and has consulted with those
of nearly all the rest. 1t can show a
great modern highway in Hartford
county, for the extension of which to
connect Belair with Havre de Grace
the Hartford commissioners have al
ready asked its cooperation an act
placing under it's direction the i'm
provement of the Prince Georges
highways out of the District of Col
umbia,Rits plans for the road model
recently built by government engi-
neers over the old National Pike near
| Cumberland, relocations and con-
struction in Howard county, which
the Howard commissioners will sup
plement by further construction this
summer, the beginning of modern
construction on the Eastern Shore,
the short stretch near the Chester
river bridge in Queen Anne's, innu-
merable tests of road and pavement
materials for Baltimore city and other
towns; surveys, plans and specifica-
lions made for the several counties,
in such number as to keep it's whole
highway staff busy throughout the
year, and the recommendation of a
road engineer for Baltimore county.
Cecil, Caroline and Wicomico give
every indication that they will soon
jim UllC AotCLucHG lOT TOdu DeUCor-
ment and the subject also promises to
become live one in Garrett. The
Geological Survey believes that bet
ter methods will be accepted when
they are appreciated, and will be ap-
preciated when they are known. 1t
doubts the possibility of accomplish
ing any great good by radical legisla-
ton unless this be supported by a
general appreciation of the best meth
DDS which does not yet exist. For
this reason it takes no part in any of
the radical plans, often good in con-
ception but revolutionary in effect.
which are proposed from time to
time. 1t would not risk anything
which has been gained, and all that
may still be gained by exciting strong
opposition without imperative neces-
sity and settling at variance classes
who must work together if perma-
nent results are to be won.
Notice.
All persons are hereby warned not
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