The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-03-21

road, 81 miles have been of 6-inch
trap rock or limestone macadam;
~ miles of gravel first course,
with limestone surface, and AZ
miles ofOystershell road.
The average cost per mile of
all of these have been Sc, 900 ex-
elusive of supervision, but, of
course, including the grading, cul-
vert and bridge work. The width
of the macadam is usually IL feet,
IN some cases IA, and on the shell
roads 10. The average cost a
square yard OF the stone or stone
gravel macadam alone has been 81
cents; of the shell macadam alone,
ASH cents, or $4,374 and s., 54S a
mile, respectively.
"All culverts and bridges under
4o-foot spans have been built of
concrete or virifed clay, and cast
iron pipe used; no wood boxes nor
wooden floors except on two long
steel bridges. No grades have
been left more than s per cent.
and but one or two as high as that.
We require practically the same
results as to shape, rolling, flush
ing, ETC., as New Jersey, Connec-
ticut and Massachusetts.
Several years ago the commits
sion investigated the cost of the
old turnpikes of the State. There
are about 500 miles of these, in all
sorts of copdition-some bad and
abandoned, others comparing very
favorably with any in the country.
1t was found difficult to secure ac-
curate figures in all cases, but the
result of the investigation showed
that the average cost of these pixies
had been about S., 900 a mile.
These figures must be understood
as prevailing at time when not
only were labor and materials
much cheaper than at present, but
also frequently free contributions
of both were made by neighbors
in order to secure the construction
of such roads in any locality.
Some opposition to State aid
to county roadbuilding has pre-
sented itself in those sections
where, perhaps, the turnpikes now
are in the best condition and most
flourishing. One or two counties
are quite efficiently traversed by
toll roads and the opposition has
expressed itself against the con-
struction by the State and county
OF such roads as will compete with
these existing enterprises.
Such opposition is historical
and must, of couasc, be anticipat-
ed. However, believe that the
day Of toll roads in Maryland is
past, and that the State and the
counties should and will gradually
take over the existing pixies and
throw them open 10 the public.
In the meantime, I suggest
that the counties, with the assist
ance of the State, improve the
main feeders of the pixies and such |
other main roads as are needed to
meet the public demands not salts
lied by the pixies themselves. The
general demands of the public will
De in this way most quickly and |
satisfactorily met, met, and the
not only will not be in
ured, but their value actually in |
creased to their owners as we'll as
% the general public. If the en-
rance and exits to the pixies lead
ng to and from railroad stations, |
etc, were put in first class condi- |
ion, then the questions of abolish |
ng the tolls would logically follow
Immediately.
1T is believed that the form of |
State aid in Maryland-not only
pest fitting conditions with us,
where no township exist and
strong county organization, pride
md feeling permeate all political
md social questions-is most val
liable in its educational features.
The object lessons of the results
IN the roads themselves; the infor-
nation impaired to even the casual