Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-12-23
Turnpike Men Meet.

|
N. Hammaker of Thurmont, vice-presi-
dent; o. C. Warehime of Frederick, Sec
rotary and treasurer; George R. Dennis,
counsel.
At the morning session the president
made an address At 12.45 recess was
taken until O'Clock, the members in
attendance repairin. to the City Hotel
for dinner.
One of the features of the afternoon
session was an address by Mr.. Daniel
W. Doub of Hagerstown, in which he
gave an interesting review of the history
of turnpikes in Maryland. He devoted
much of his time telling of the early
building of pixies and of Acts passed by
the Maryland Legislature authorizing
them to be built, and finally touches on
the Good Roads Commission saying in
part the following:
1.-THE Good Roads Commission as far
as Washington county is concerned has
not been fair in its effort to acquire the
turnpike from Hagerstown to the Como
cocheague. 1t made an offer of SIP, 900
for seven miles of turnpike with bridge
across the Conococheague, which bridge
could not be replaced for less than $780,
600 and possibly $4,000. The company
offered to sell it's stock of $3.50 shares,
par value 500 per share at $l2 per share,
or total of 1000. This company has
paid an annual dividend of three per cent
for twenty years, SO that the company
offered to sell at sum which would
capitalize the dividend at per cent.
The turnpike can be rebuilt at a cost of
1000 mile, exclusive of the cost of re-
ducing grades, and will then last longer
and cost less for repairs than the mo lei
road built at its terminus on the west
under the Shoemaker law at cost of
about SO, 900 mile.
''The people of this part of the State
do not take much interest in the Good
Roads Commission. They seem to take
it for granted that it is a scheme of poll
ticians of the dominant party in this
State and that they are powerless to
prevent the exploitation of the $5,OOO,-
900 loan.
"For one fourth of the loan, or 81, $780,
600 available in July, 1909, 107a miles
are contemplated, an average of $ll, 500
per mile. At this rate it would be neces-
sary to have another loan Of six millions
in order to complete the 1000 miles con-
templated, which will add at least eight
cents more to the tax rate. Ought the
people to make protest? Are we salts
fled that the turnpike, that is the great
National Turnpike from Baltimore thro'
Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland, to
the extreme end of Garrett county, can
be repaired at small cost, say 1000 or
81, 500 mile, exclusive of reducing grades?
If so, ought we not to urge our members
of the House of Delegates to make some
effort to stop the expenditure of $ll, 800
per mile in reconstructing it as model
road? The Governor, who had never
been to this part of the State until he
was brought here joy riding in an auto
mobile by the Good Roads Commission,
has had no chance or opportunity to as
certain the feeling of our people, and is
more to be pitied than blamed.
1.-THE stock of turnpike companies in
Western Maryland in most part is held
by farmers and local residents along the
turnpikes. Many of them invested their
money for the purpose of having a good
road and in the hope of getting small
dividend on their investment. Is it right
that their property should be confiscated
by the State and that they should be
treated as highwaymen seeking to rob
and despoil the travelling public? You
answer no, but ask is this not the case?
eff it is, then the only just and fair
position to take is to sell all the turnpikes
in the State and let them be made free
roads. The turnpike companies must
realize that this hostility, this antipathy
to toll-roads will grow from year to year
and that the spirit of socialism abroad
will in few years have little regard for
vested rights, and will, like Mr.. Preston,
seek by hostile legislation and otherwise
to confiscate the toll-roads and make
them free to the travelling public"
The following committee on legislation
was approved: Peter N. Hammaker, G..
r. Dennis, D. W. Doub, DR.. j. H. Bill
ingslea, H. c. Selby, T. A. hurry and
N. e. Cramer.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
President, Peter N. Hammaker, of
Thurmont; vice-president, George w.
Albaugh, of Westminster; secretary and
treasurer, o C. Warehime, of Frederick;
counsel, George R. Dennis, of Frederick.
The committee on resolutions-Dr. j.
H. Billingslea, Dan'l w. Doub and Geo.
R. Dennis, submitted the following,
which were adopted
"The Maryland Turnpike Association,
representing the turnpikes of the State
having a mileage of nearly five hundred
miles, and representing capital of near
two millions of dollars, place ourselves
as being in favor of good roads and are
willing to cooperate in any efforts which
may be made by the Good Roads Com.
mission or the General Assembly to &C.
quire all turnpike roads for the purpose
of making them free.
"This association represents the good
r L