The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-06-16
MAY TEST HIGHWAY ACT.
State Geological Survey Eager for
Road. Construction To Begin.

state Geological Survey Eager for
Road.Construction To Begin.
4 special meeting OF the State
Geological Survey Commission was
called by Governor Warfeld at the
headquarters of the Geological Sur
Yey at the Johns Hopkins University
Tuesday at noon to consider the act
passed by the last Legislature pro-
Yiding for State aid to highway con-
structiOn and with regard to which
some question has been raised con-
corning its constitutionality 1t was
decided at the meeting to prepare
letter to the boards of county COM
missioners of the several counties
Offering the services of the States
highway engineers in the making of
surveys and the drawing up of plans
and specifications for the construc-
ton of roads under the provisions of
the act.
AS the money under the act does
hOO OCNOuS uulII dlU6E
January, 1905, it will be necessary for
the counties to cooperate with the
State Geological Survey under the
existing law, which provides for the
highway division. Before the money
under the new act can be secured
from the State Treasury it will prob
ably be necessary to bring the mat
ter before the Court of Appeals at
Annapolis for the decision, which is
likely to.be done at the earliest date.
1t is considered important, however,
that surveys be made at as early
date as possible in order that plans
may be ready for thesconstruction of
roads as soon as the act becomes
operative, should it be declared con-
stitutional. 1t was pointed out that
construction could not begin before
the spring or early summer of 1905 in
any event, as much time is necessari-
ly involved in the letting of contracts
and in preparing for the actual con-
struction. None of the State high
ways built under this act could there
fore be completed prior to the autumn
of next year.
The commission authorized the
printing of large number of copies
of the new act, which, with a brief
explanation of the method of oper-
alton of the law, will be widely dis
tributed to the people of the State.
Special forms showing the method of
application for aid under the act will
also be prepared and distributed to
the various boards of county COM
missioners.
Governor Wartield requested the
engineering staff of the survey to be-
gin the preparation of topographic
maps of the various State properties,
and suggested to Professor Clark
that he should make arrangements
to begin with the Springfield State
Asylum, at Mount Airy, where the
MANAGEMENT of the asylum is prepar-
ing for the construction of addition
al buildings to meet the needs of the
State insane. Mr.. Johnson of the
highway force, will have charge of
the work. At Governor Warfield's
request plans have already been pre-
pared of the grounds of the Execu-
tive Mansion at Annapolis, and Mr..
johnson will supervise changes in
the roadway and other Improvements
to the grounds provided by the last
Legislature.
Professor Clark made a report to
the board regardingthe great exhibit
of mineral resources which the s sur
vey has prepared and installed at St.
Louis. DIR. Atkinson, the State Comp
trcller, had just return from st. Louis
and spoke enthusiastically to the
board regarding the fine exhibit in
the Mines Building and compliment
ed the management of the survey on
the exhibit.