Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-06

In the state of Maryland the good
roads movement has passed the stage OF
mere theory The state Legislature at the
last session authorized the expenditure
of five millions of dollars for road con-
struction. and the commission appointed
under that law has under consideration
plans. for the proper distribution Of this
fund This city will be benefited, as
will all adjacent territory.
The present pike read from the Dis
trict line to Rockville will be improved
and extended, so that highway of COM
munication between this city and the
outlying country will be more generally
used than ever The system of state
care of roads which has now been estab-
lished in the state of Maryland will
no doubt have the same history as
similar movement in such state
for example. as Massachusetts,, where
provision for the extension and care of
the roads is a regular item in the an
nual budget.
Land Values and Population.
What influence such a policy has had
on the business and on the growth of
the population Of the state 1t is. OF
course, impossible TO accurately COM
pute. There is no question in the minds
of competent judges that such an element
has a powerful influence in these
particulars, and in addition it is factor
of no mean consequence in the apprecl-
alton Of land values.
II goes without saying that where the
return to the property holder and to the
citizen for the money he pays in taxes
| in the way of public protection and
| security, as well as public improvements,
| l., IF
a result is registered not merely in public
dissatisfaction and discomfort. but what
! is perhaps more vital, in the gradual but
steady depreciation in land and property
values. Where the schools are made.
uuate and poor and the enforcement of
law feeble and corrupt and the public
| highways neglected. the record can be
read clearly and distinctly in the assess
ment books
Good Roads and Taxes.
1t may not be looked upon as strong
argument, or rather an attractive argu-
ment, for road improvement to affirm that
the adoption of such policy will be fol-
! lowed by an increase in the assessment
of property, but such would inevitably
be the case. At any rate, 1t would be
IL the assessors had even a shadow or
| the ability to perform the duties of their
office, for as soon as farm or otnef
property Is Drought within TIE range VI
some center through the medium OF a
| good road so that communication is more
| IA pid, then to that degree is the market
| value appreciated.
| Return to Country Life.
Steam railroads and trolley roads and
telephones have not displaced the need
and the uses Of highways any more than
| the modern application of electricity to
/ hoe with the
horse, as at one time it was confidently
predicted would be the case. Special
emphasis is being laid upon this require
| ment of country life by the tendency
toward the country which has been such
marked feature In recent years. Inc
nericd of crowding to the cities and OF
| marvellous increase in the population at
these centers seems now to be followed
| by a reaction and "a return to the coun-
| try.
| and its Significance would perhaps oe
| greater if the movement was for the
| most mart a return to the cultivation OF
| the soil But it is not that, rather thus
| far it is the desire of people TO nave
| a place in the country where they can
| be free from some, at least. of the many
| and ANNOYING cares which seem to have
| accumulated upon the modern man as
| compared with his immediate ancestor.
What Purchasers Want.
But whatever the motive that has
turned the tide of living toward the
| country. one thing Is certain. and that
is men and women do not buy In To-
calities where they are not reasonably
certain of some at least Of the more i'm
portant facilities CT living 1t may be
that owing to lack of experience they
NAV make a mistake. but they do moi
choose to suffer daily for that mistake
so that the particular locality Is nc
gamer.
| improvements and facilities can be
studied out by each individual for him.
self or herself. It is not an academic
question. 1t is purely one of dollars and
cents.
Convenience of Access.
Study a map OF the District showing
also something of the adjacent sections OF
| Maryland and Virginia and it will be
| found that the scale of values or prices
of land, if it is preferred, will rise and