The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-12-02

little more than one-tenlh Of the whole
project, the commission has already
contracted for or arranged to spend a
total OF about $1,000, 900. This will
SHOW an average of little less than
$1,000 a mile for the work already in
sight. The sum is nearly double what
it was thought these roads would cost
when their building was first conceived
and pushed as a matter of public policy.
1t was supposed in the beginning that
So, 600 a mile would cover all the cost
and, therefore, that s. OU0. 600, the loan
| asked. would meet all requirements.
The project was a favorite one of Gov
ernor Crothers, who sees great posi-
biiities ahead for State advancement
when the highways are completed. He
has been deeply interestedin it from the
start. So much so that he had it incor-
Iporated as a plank in the Democratic
national platform as a broad-gauge
measure for the whole country when a
member of the last Democratic Nation
al Convention at Denver.
For the use of this public improve
ment the act creating the Good Road
Commission appropriated $55,0OO,0OO at
/ the session Of 1908. This act also pro-
vided that not more than 81, 900, 600
should be expended in any one year. ac
counting from July /, 1908. And for
/ the purpose Of providing for the ex-
penditures for the establishment, con-
/ struction, improvement and mainte-
nance OF the general system of public
roads mentioned in the act loan was
created. called the State Road Loan. "
Its issuance was provided as follows:
$500, 600, to be known as series "a, "
August /, 1908; 81, 600, 600, to be known
as series b" February /, 1909; 81, O0O,-
900, 10 be known as series &c, - Febru-
airy /, 1910; $1,000, 600, to be known as
series ID, " February l, 1911; $1,000,
600, to be known as series "E, " Feb
ruary l, 1872, and $500, 900, to be known
as series IF" February l, 1913. The
loan is to be payable Is years after the
date of the respective series, but is re-
deemable at the pleasure Of the State
Of Mary land after 10 wears from date of
issue.
To nleet the interest Of this loan and
to redeem it at maturity the act directs
fba+ tho C,uot,, Cnr,v,,i-ciny,ar, o,,J +ba
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore
are to levy the State taxes for the year
1909 at cents on each 500 of assessa-
/ bic property; for the year 1910, 81 cents
on each 500 OF assessable property; for
/ the year 1911, at 43 cents on each 500
of assessable property; for the year
1912, at 81 cents on each 500 Of assess
able property; for the year 1913 and
annually thereafter at cents on each
/ 500 of assessable property.
This many regard as a pretty severe
tax, and unless the commission shows
satisfactory results there may be some
complaint of the cents additional tax
/ rate after 1913 to meet this expense.
/ These matters are not lost sight of
either in the city or the counties. So
long as results are obtained perhaps
nothing will be heard from the tax
payers as this work progresses, or on
its completion if 1t fills the wants its
promoters anticipate Should it fall
/ short in any essential, then the tax
| payers will want to know why and may
begin an investigation on their own ac-
count.
Six cents additional as a tax seems
/ insignificant. 1t viii scarcely be
noticed by the man who is only assess
/ ed for a few hundred or a few thousand
! dollars. To one whose property hold
/ ings run up into several hundred thou
| sand dollars, and who does not seek to
| evade this just contribution to the gen.
| e1al welfare and to the support Of need
! ed public institutions, the burden will
! begin to tell and these may begin to
! inquire as to whether or not the annual
/ tax contributions into the State Treas
ury are productive of the best results
/ to them and to their fellow citizens.
| While the law provides that not more
! than 81, 600, 900 shall be spent in any
one year, accounting from July l, 1908,
there is a special provision which en-
abled the commission to exceed this
sum this year. This is contained in
/ Section 32K, which provides that in
order that there shall be no delay in
carrying into effect the provisions of
the act the sum Of $3.50, 600, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is appro-
priated from the Treasury proper for
the carrying out of the provisions of
! the act
Under this section it still has a lee
way of funds available to work on for
the balance of this year. There is also
available 81, 600, COO commencing July
| last.
Card of Thenks.
take this method of extending our