The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-03-14

An Enthusiastic MISUNDERSTANDING the
Biddison Road Bill.-A largely attended and
enthusiastic meeting in the interest of State
Senator Biddison's good roads bill was held
last Saturday night at Hamilton Hall, Hamil-
ton, under the auspices of the Confederated
Civic improvement and Protective Association
of Baltimore County.
Mr. William McCallister, president of the
confederation presided and opened the meet
ing with few well-cbOsen remarks, explain
ing the purpose of the gathering, that Of hear
ing men who have made study of road i'm
prOvements and are recognized as authorities
on the subject. Chief of these was the pro-
moter of the bill, State Senator Biddis0D, be-
hind which the farmers and business men OF
the State are lining up.
ut is a great recreation" began the Senator,
after he had been received with much applause
bv the assemblaee ito leave the worry and
business of Annapolis and look into the faces
of my neighbors and friends. At Annapolis
it is one continual struggle and fight, but when
I come home l find that we are all united at
least on this one great subject Of good roads.
In the first place wish to state that Mr.. Ben
son, the promoter Of the other bill on good
roads which has been presented before the
General Assembly, and myself are the best OF
friends. And although there are some very
important differences in our bills, am sure
that we are both looking after the interests Of
the State and the improvement of our market
maryland for some time has been spending
great deal of money for roads, By the Shoe
maker act we spend yearly $4,000 of which
the State gives half and the counties half. In
addition to this we have started road running
from Washington to Baltimore, beginning
work in the middle and operating toward the
two cities, and the results have been such that
we are able to demonstrate to the people the
benefits that can be derived from systemat-
ic road building.
"Both Mr.. Benson and myself agree as to the
amount of money that should be expended
So, 600, 000-but we differ materially as to the
manner in which it should be expended. In
all matters pertaining to the maintaining or
public institutions. such as the schools and the
one under discussion, / am absolutely non-par-
tisan. believe in non partisan, unpaid COM
missions. number Of my friends have said
to me: 'Biddison, how 10 it that you object to
the creation of those nice 81, 600 positions
claim that you can get better men to work on
commission for nothing than you'll can for
salary. If there is q salary attached to the
position the Governor will be flooded with petit
tons in favor of this or that man, and infiu-
ences will be brought to bear in favor OF man
who, although not a capable man for the posi-
ton, is yet good man politically and the
friend of some Influential politician.
'But if, on the other hand, there is no pay
attached to the position, the Governor will be
more able to pick men capable to carry out the
work with equal justice to everybody.
"Mr. Benson and also differ as to who IS to
build the roads. say that the Geological Sur
vey should have some part in the spending Of
the S., 100000 The Geological Survey should
construct the roads because it is prepared to
start at once ON construction, being in possess
sion of the necessary paraphernalia, and to
turn the matter over to other parties would
only incur a useless and unnecessary expense"
Others who made addresses were Mr.. w. w.
Crosby, State roads engineer; Mr. Asa B. Gar
diner, Jr., a representative of the Farmers
League of Marylan and Mr.. @. Ross Mace, of
Baltimore county bar. All strongly sustained
the arguments Of Senator Biddson, especially
Mr.. Gardiner, who read portions of both bills
and explained clearly wherein the differences
were.