Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-02-16
The state Ala Road Law.


From the State Geological Survey we
have received a copy OF the new State
Aid Road Law.
February Q, instant, the Court OF APP
meals declared the law constitationalan and
now all that remains is to consider the
provisions OF the law. 5000, 900 IN APP
Dropriated from the State Treasury TO
carry out the provisions Of the law, and
the money Is allotted 20 the different coun-
ties according to their public road mile
age st. Mary's, with road mileage OF
COZ miles, IL apportioned ~ 1888 Of
the fund, but in order TO secure any por-
ton Of it the County Commissioners must
petition for the amount they intend to
use before March 1, 1905, otherwise they
are to forfeit their county's share OF the
State road fund, which il then 10 become
available for other counties that have
petitioned and have expressed their VIII
lingness 90 levy an amount Of money Tor
permanent road building equal 10 the
amount they ask from the State.
The Baltimore Sun calculates that 20
raise 5000, 900 for the State requires D
cents on each 800 Of the assessable bs-
sis Of the State. Assuming this calcula-
ton TO be correct, st. Mary's would con-
tribute to the State Treasury $1,000,
which money would go TO road building
in another county should our Commits
sioners neglect to make petition before
March 1, proximo.
1T il, therefore, most important, IL this
county il to receive any benefit from It's
share of the taxes which it pays towards
the State fund, that the County Commits
sioners take immediate action In this
matter and send their formal petitions
to the Highway Division OF the Mary
land Geological Survey on or before
March LIST. II they do not do this, other
counties will reap the benefit that should
be In part ours
SECTION of the law provides that the speci'
ficatIons shall require the construction or I'm
proyement, within a reasonable times OF mac
adamized or of q teford or OF other STONE ROAD
or of q road constructed OF gravel. or OF othei
good material. In such manner that the same
viii be, with reasonable repairs thereto. At nj
seasons of the year Arm. smooth and conve
nient for travel"
Section provides that mo county shall b
compelled to pay for such plans, specification
aaI estimate, an amount greater than go pc
mile"
section Is provides that nothing In the Ac
''shaiI alter or abridge or In any way effect tn
present method OF road construction or repai
Ivy the respective counties, at their own ex
pense or otherwise, a. now authorized by law.
That st. Mary's gravel, properly ap
piled, will make a lasting good road ha
been proven by an experience OF owe
twenty years. The stretch of road iron
the top OF Ellenboro' hill to Ellenboro
gate is an exhibit demonstrating this.
No matter how attractive a county o
a township may be otherwise, the wild
awake man in locating shuns bad roads
A good road lie the first thing that al
tracts or repels visitors and settlers
Does our county need improved roads
Let each taxpayer answer for himself.
shall we apply Tor at least some OF tn
State road aid fund, have experiences
civil engineers furnish us with an objec
lesson in constructing mile or two
permanent road by showing US how u
properly and scientifically blend on
gravel and clay to accomplish tina. end
or shall we jog along in the same oil
ruts?
1t up to yoHl