Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-03-06
Mr.. BENSON EXPLAINS.

Speaking OF the Criticisms OF his Good
Roads bill Mr.. Carville D. Benson said:
"The bill introduced by Senator Biddi.
son provides for bond issue, the same as
the House bill, tprovides that the work
of selecting roads TO be constructed under
It's provisions shall be done by an unpaid
commission, and that the work of the actual
construction shall be done under the Mary
land Geological Survey Commission, which
Is composed of the Governor, Comptroller,
president of Johns Hopkins University and
the president of the Maryland Agricultural
College, this being the same commission
that has had charge Of the work under the
Shoemaker Road law.
1.-THE bill introduced by me in the House
provides for bond issue OF the same
amount as that provided for by Senator Bid :.
dison's bill, In all the essential details the
House bill follows closely the bill prepared
by the Attorney General, with the excep-
ton that the Attorney Generals bill did not
provide for a bond issue, and also with the
exception of the bill as prepared 10y the
Attorney. General provided Tor commits.
sion of nine members at large salary
than is provided in the bill introduced by
me.
"rhe bill introduced 10 the House pro
vides for commission composed of six
members in addition to the Governor, who
is member ex offlcio, each Of these six
members. with the exception of the chair
man, who is designated by the Governor,
receives 5000 each annually, the chair.
man receiving $4,000 annually, making a
total expenditure Of the commission OF $ls-
500.
"The commission is so selected that each
section of the State may be represented
one Of the members thereof In addition to
Shore OF Maryland, one from the Second
Congressional district one from the fifth
Congressional district, one from the sixth
Congressional district and one from the
State at large.
"The project is new undertaking and a
big one.
ait does not interfere in any way with
the Shoemaker Road law, which will re-
main under the control of the Geological
Survey Commission, and which will con.
uuue to have the expenditure Of $500, 600
of the State money. And while there Is
no criticism intended or reflection that can
be made upon the work already accomplish.
ed by the State Geological Survey, it is g
fact that the gentlemen composing this CON-
mission-the Governor, the Comptroller
the president of Johns Hopkins and the
president OF the Maryland Agricultural Col
lege-are all men whose time Is almost ex
clusively taken up by their other presen
duties, and 1t is also fact that they hav,
been unable to give, so am informed By
people much interested in the good-roAdl
movements in this State, the necessary per
sOnal attention TO the matler-the Shoe
maker law; that it was with difficulty tina
the necessary meetings Of the members o
this board could be had owing to the man,
other duties that devolved upon them. Al
consequence the successful working Of tn
Shoemaker Road law is the result of tn
State Geological Survey having delegated
its powers to one Of its employees, who lie
most admirable gentleman and well quail
fed for the work he has In charge.
"The provisions of the House bill, intro
duced by me, authorize the commission 4
be appointed by the Governor, to turn owe
70 the State Geological Survey any part o.
all Of the engineering and construction worl
20 be done under the provisions Of said act
INT II leaves the ultimate responsibility fol