Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-02-18


in decision announced February 0sb
that The Shoemaker Read Law is conslis
tutional, nothing now stands in The way
Of the state and tue counties working
shoulder to shoulder 80 obtain that
greatest or all boons to rural communi-
ties-good roads. The Highway Divis-
ion of the Maryland Geological Survey
has everything prepared and, in some
cases, surveys made 80 that there can De
no delay in starting in on the work II
the county commissioners only do their
share and apply promptly aud before
March Ist, 1905.
The attractiyeness ofthe law As eusi-
mes proposition is 80 self-eyident as to
need no elaboration Toe examples Of
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York
and Connecticut furnish data and living
examples ofthe good that must inevitably
follow improved roads. Progressive
communities invariably have good rolds
or are attaining that end rapidly as com
mersurate with good financial manage
ment, end conversely. cool roads inyar-
iabIy indicate progressive communities
No matter how attractive a county or
section may be otherwise, the wide-awake
man in locating shuns bad roads. 1t is
the first thing that appeals TO or repeats
visitors, aud one of the things that fixes
lasting impressions for good or bad are
the roads of state. Therefore Mary
land. TO be classed with her progressive
neighbors to the north, must take hold
Of this Improvement with a vim. For
mefly the lame expense of good roads
stood in the way-now this is halyei and
there is no reason why every county
should not make start to raise itself TO
meet the demands of present day pro-
gress, and apply for at least some of its
money, enough to build mile or two Of
these roads which will last years after
the present patch system has be a iepair-
ed again and again.
The county comm ssioners of hist
county have shown their progressive
spirit and have already signified their
tuloution to apply for State aid, but it
should be borne In mind that for the
county TO receive benefit it is necessary
for the county commissioners to sign the
formal petition and send it to the High
way Division OF the Maryland Geological
Survey before March lst. SO far no ac-
ton under the law has been possible, aud
therefore the preliminary announcement
by the county commissioners must be re-
peated by the formal petitions in order
that the county may receive share of
the state money for building roads.
The construction Of these roads it To be
under the immediate supervision OF the
Highway Division OF the Maryland Geo
logical survey, OF which Dr. VIM. Bullock
Clark is the superintendent and A..
N. Johnson Highway Engineer. The
law requires that detailed plans and sur
veys aud estimates OF the cost ofthe work
shall be made before the building of the
road is undertaken The amount OF
money allotted by law to each county is
in accordapce with the road mileage OF
the respective counties. Anne Arundel is
entitled to receive $6,741,72 providing
the county commissioners petition for
State aid before the FIRST of March
The county commissioners OF this coun-
ty have sfgniied their intention to apply
for State aid, aud willat their nextmeet.
ing formally petition torsams ourcoun-
ty commissioners are alive to the import
ance OF this matter and on Friday signed
the formal petition and sent it TO the
Highway Division of the Maryland GEO.
logical Survey. The roadsselected arein
the upper section OF the county as will be
seen by reference TO our local columns.