The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-12
GOOD ROADS AND LAND VALUES

GOOD ROADS AND LAND VALUES
The Maryland Legislature is con-
sidering a good roads measure which.
looks like business. The bill has been
prepared by the Attorney General, and
provides for q special commission, to
be known as the maryland Roads
Commission" which shall consist OF
nine members. two of whom shall be
Professor William Bullock Clark State
Geologist and superintendent of the
Maryland Geological Survey, and DR..
Edward B. Mathews, Assistant State
Geologist, and seven members to be
appointed by the Governor. There is
also to be chief engineer of high
ways.
The commission is given broad and
sweeping powers to accomplish It's
work, including powers of purchase
and condemnation of lands, easements
and other property interests. 1t is
also authorized to acquire by purchase
or condemnation turnpikes now oper-
ated by turnpike companies. and also
to take over abandoned turnp.kes.
Provision is made for the establish
/ ment of general system of modern
and improved State highways, with
lateral, tributary and branch State
roads, to be constructed by the com.
mission created by the act in con.
nection with all the provisions ant
features of the existing Shoemaker
law for the construction, repair ant
extension OF county roads upon thu
application and initiative of the count,
commissioners or of citizens of thu
counties.
, The general system is to be com
pleted in twelve years from July, 1905
during which time the expenditures o
the commission for the State system
; shall not exceed 100000 year, eX
ccpt during the first year, when tn
= expenditure shall not exceed 100000
To provide for these expenditures
: the act appropriates out OF the treas
ury of the State 100000 for the frs
: year, beginning July /, 1908, and $500,
600 annually for each of the following
eleven years, commencing at the ex
piration of the first year.
To make sure of these appropria
lions. the act provides that, com
mencins with the year 1909. Stat
tax of . cents shall be laid on eac
500 of assessable property, and an
>
State tax of not more than 31-2 cent
: shall be laid. The proceeds of thes
taxes are to be set apart as the "Stat
road fund" But tho special tax /
not to be levied If the revenues b
sufficient under the regular rate
. taxation to provide the necessar
money for road Improvement.
! Maryland has accepted the inevitabl
: Roads cannot be built except by
> liberal appropriation of money, and I'll
only way to raise the money is |
taxation. Oddly enough, howeve
" when we talk of special taxation
Virginia for road Improvement. IL
. people balk. Yet no tax would a,
quito so much to the convenience
- the people and contribute so much
the enhancement OF land values. Mar
land proposes to raise road fund
= 100000 year by levying a tax OF
- cents on the 500 for one year, and 1
: cents on the 500 for eleven years
Tho State of Virginia could raise
road fund In that amount by leyvir
on her real and personal property
y tax Of cent on the 500 of assess,
- valuation.
=-----------------
Is THE FRIGHTFUL PEItILS OF TT.
u FLEET.
Sc The Times-Dispatch now confess
as to hope that the fleet is going
he reach San Francisco alive. There ha
ne been moments when the feat seem