The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-12-20
Should the Present System of Road Msndine
be Continued?

This question has often been the subject
of consideration and has frequently pre-
sented itself to the writer during t he past
year. tits an important subject and one
that affects the vitalinterests of Hartford
| county second to none other. II the
| Farmers Clubs are a loss for a subject
of interest. would not this be topic,
which il thoroughly discussed might
bring advantage to their neighbors as
| well as themselves? Our worthy county
papers could probably well atfo: d to
| favor the public with few editorials on
the subject and in all probability they
would tender sufficient space for an open
public discussion of this important
| question. Would it not be well. Stree we
| have a brand new Commissioner Law
and practically a new Board of Commits
| sionerS. for them to consider whether the
| $50, 900 Tor whatever may be the amount
| annually expended) is spent in manner
that brings forth the best results, or,
could not new and more modern ethe,ds
be adopted to advantage? Would not
Hartford county be a more prosperous
| county if it had good roads?
If the writer be allowed an opinion he
would suggest all gravel roads in gravel
| districts. Piking has two faults, as far
as Hartford county is concerned its first
cost is too much and repairs are so
expensive that repair work is seldom at
| tempted until it is too late. The Church
vile and Bel Air road at present illus
trates this. If Hartford cannot afford
| broadcloth give her blue jeans and not
rags. Good roads incree Sc the value of
adjoining farms at least % per cent. and
every BODY should lend his energies to in
crease the value of his own property
rather than to allow it to depreciate. 1t
is no more right to squander or allow
the road adjoining your property or in
| front OF your gate to wash away than
| to squander any other heritage. 1t our
| present method does not effect the stitch
in time" policy, some other method
should be adopted. One man says that
he pays taxes, consequently if the Com
missioners do not mend the waShout at
his gate it can go until it needs a special
appropriation. This is penny wise and
pound foolish, for his own property is
| the principal sufferer.
An annual expenditure of $35,O0O
means $350,O0O in ten years. What
have we to show for the last $35O,O00
spent on Hartford county roads? Let
every tax payer ask himselfthi question
and awake to the situation. The papers,
clubs and people can find better method,
if they will.
If the County Commissioners would
| appoint each tax payer a committee of
one to report washouts after a storm
and promise quick attention thereafter
| on the part of the Supervisor, many dol
lars could be saved. fit does not afford
| best results to mend roads in the fall,
why not make an incentive for early
| spring work and see that it is done by
| some one who will attend to it, either
| individually or collectively, as far as miles
are concerned? Why spend money except
at the most propitious time and to best
| advantage? Funds collected for taxes
should be spent economically and not
spent without any attempt toward per-
| manent result, for Ofttimes tax money is
| the most hard earned and not infrequent-
| Iv this tribute gathered includes the
| widows mite" Why could not a tax
payer be allowed to promptly repair
washouts adjoining his property and re-
ceive credit on account of taxes? Our
| Legislature is about to convene; if we
have any suggestions for their considera-
ton or propositions in the way of any
law, it is time to get them in shape for
prompt submission.
The writer only offers these unmatured
suggestions, hoping that those reading
will have much better to offer and only
hopes that criticism and replies will be
| forthcoming that will afford a relief and
| benefit for each and every property
| owner in Hartford county, and he hopes
that the weeklies of Hartford will extend
| the use of their columns for the benefit of
| the cause.
Yours very truly,
| II. =. STRASBAUGH.
Aberdeen, Md.