Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-10-14
Road Critics Hit By Crothers.

i n,
Governor Crothers on Monday took notice
OF the criticisms that have been directed
at the State Roads Commission, and dis
cussed the work that has been done.
Inc Governor defended the Commissions
course to date, and asserted that the money
| appropriated for building State roads had
been expended economically and wisely
IN accordance with the law creating the
commission, and of which the Governor
Is himself an ex-officio member He said {:
The General Assembly in creating the
state Roads Commission provided for a
loan of $5,O00,000 at 1-2 per cent, ST.
100000 of the amount to be expended in
Baltimore city. The bonds have been dis
posed of carefully, the idea being not to
make sales until the money is needed, so
as to save as much interest as possible.
The period of seven years is provided by
law for the expenditure of the loan and
the construction of a system of roads in
all the counties of the State and in Balt-
more city. The Commission, after consult
ing with the people. located road system
about which there has been no criticism
that ever have heard. Road work was
started and is now in progress in all the
counties and in Baltimore city.
The project is new in the State but the
system adopted is one of the best o: any
State in the Union in that ii provides not
only for the construction of the big high
ways but also provides for maintenance
by the State after construction. Bridges and
culverts are being built of concrete to take
the place of the old rattletrap structures
that broke the legs of horses and caused
damage suits. In some States this bridge
building work has not been done.
- a ffar tho fret CT 00n mn 70 a,,nH
able each year for road building, or so much
as can be wisely and economically ex-
pended by the Commission. Up to the end
of the fiscal year, September 80, there has
been expended $1,082.0OO, all of which
has been set down in minute detail in
books subject to public inspection at any
time. A comprehensive bookkeeping sys-
tenn has also been prepared in view of the
taking over of the work of the Geological
Survey Commission. Reports have been
made from time to time. and the accounts
have been audited and found correct At
the last Legislature there were presented
reports showing the exact status of the
work at that time.
In the sinking fund there is to the credit
of the Road Commissioners $188, 900, and
$45, 900 has been paid in interest. In this
connection, il may be said that the in
crease in the collateral inheritance tax and
the liquor licenses in Baltimore county and
city have already brought into the treasury
over 100000. II will thus be seen that
in the fulfillment of the prediction made
at the time that the increased revenue
brought into the general Treasury for the
purpose has by more than $550,000 ex-
ceeded the needs of the sinking fund 1t
is also striking fact that the 100000
comes within 100000 of releasing all
the bonds thus far issued. This money
was used for other general purposes as
needed. but there would have been de-
felt If it had not been there. Tax bills
show no increase upto this time over what
they were before. due to this project, and
1t can be carried out without cent of
direct taxation.
One Of two items of legislation relating
to increased revenue failed of passage, but
those that passed have carried the States
finances away beyond its needs.
AS the road work progresses and more
bonds are issued the amount necessary for
the sinking fund and interest will, of course.
be increased. but by economy there will
never be a direct tax for roads. II this turns
out as il now appears. | shall urge the
next Legislature to provide for the issue Of
VOtOuOtOOO HlOIC JULIUS lOI
and this. too. will be provided for without
direct tax II is part of a policy and
scheme that has other things to be taken
into consideration.
Il believe that at the very root of the
permanent prosperity of the producing
people of the county lies the State system
Of highways that save time to the farmer
and save his teams. One item that has
not been taken account of is the increase
in prosperity and values that follow the
building of good roads. This in a very few
years will put back into the treasury every
| dollar that has been taken out.
THE large class of our citizens who use
the public highways with ruts and stones
and who have uncomplaininglyc contributed
their share of taxes are entitled to some
consideration. Ii will mean increased prop
erty ; II will attract people from other States
and counties, and il will make country life
more comfortable and pleasant to the citi-
zens of the State. II will lessen to the
people of the city the amount paid for
farm produce and in a broader sense con-
tribute to the prosperity Of all the people
of the State no matter where they reside.
There has been no country or State
that has made great strides in progress
that has not paid some attention to the
improvement of their universal means of
transportation. New England saw the need
of something long ago and embarked in the
project Of building public highways The
people found greater pleasure at home
instead of spending money other ways
abroad
THE State Roads Commission very pro-
perly felt their way and were not reckless
in putting out contracts In too large num-
bers at the beginning. Where bids. in their
judgment. were high, they were rejected,
and in every instance except perhaps one
they put the contract out subsequently at
a lower price. This OccasiOned delay, but
lessened the cost which was direct bene-
fit to the county or city in which located.
Good roads in the first instance. every
body realizes, are Indispensable, and every
Genuine suggestion made for motives rem
dering public service has been considered
and weighed Some contractors failed and
caused delay, but the contracts were car
ried out by the bondsmen. .
in some other sections the Commission
decided wisely that where there were organ
izations that had experience in building
roads work was given out without contracts.
the Commission relying on the County
Commissioners TO see that the work was
economically done.
I'VE placed in charge an engineering
inspector. who reports on the work done
and the expense. the accounts being audited
and the amount then being paid to the
County Commissioners. and that arrange
ment in the judgment Of the Commission
has been found satisfactory.
up to September 80 there has been
contracted for 259 miles of roads, of which
| 1l8 miles has been completed. The average