Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1910-06-20
MR.. CROSBY URGES BEST
Says Road Commission Is
Working IntelIigentIy To
That End
DUSTLESS PLANS URGED
Methods And Material Have Not Been
Tested Sufficiently For Definite
Conclusions, He Saws

me Maryland State Road Commits
SION, said recently, lit seems to me-
that the commission is proceeding
lntelilgently and conservatively.
| There is no question that modar,
traffic conditions as we'll ne the nras
ent demands of the people generally
Tor the best in the shop are reauir.
ing better road surface than formerly
1t is well known that the addition
OF a bltuminous cement TO the ton
course of macadam during its con
struction or its application to the sur-
lace after the completion Of the ma
cadam Will give far better road sur-
lace than plain macadam can possibly
give. The resulting surface is better
for the following reasons "The dust
nuisance, with its dangers to life.
health, comfort and property values.
IS reduced. The road surface is made
mole pleasant and more satisfactory
to travel, both to draft animals and
To the passengers themselves The
maintenance of the road is made cas-
Ter, interruptions to traffic on ac-
count of repairs are less fir, luently
necessary, md the cost of maii tsnance
IS greatly reduced. 1t is POSSIBLE
with a treated road to easily maintain
1t IN a Gle lner and more attractive
condition than with an untreat, d road.
with the consequent incentive to i'm
provement Tor the care for appear
ances OF the adjoining property.
The immediate questions concern
ed resolve themselves into two main
ones:
First, the methods of applying the
treatment, and. second, the materials
to be used in it.
1t is by no means settled lust what
methods should generally be used.
A great variety of experiments have
been made in the last few years, and
the problem is being generally stud
led by engineers. Conclusions are be-
ing gradually reached, or. at least,
evidence is being secured that such
are in sight. 1t has been undoubtedly
proved that certain materials used in
definite ways will be entirely sue
cessful for known traffic and other
Still other methods and
have been successful. |
know of no one, though, who is pre-
pared to demonstrate that any partic-
llar method will be the most econom-
cal in the long run. because at this
lime the experience on this point is |
90 brief to be conclusive.
1.-The same condition prevails re-
garding the materials offered for use. |
Most of them have been used in too |
hort period to Justify conclusions
n too little is known of the condi- |
ions surrounding their use in those |
'ases of temporary success. Many of |
hem Justify hope for their ultimate |
uccess in wide use. The most sue |
'essful, from the viewpoint of results
occurred on the road, do not perhaps |
Justify the belief that they will be |
he most economical in the long run. |
'robably short time now will tell |
he story.
In the meantime the State Roads |
commission is trying to profit by the |
experience of others and to avoid as |
ar as possible unnecessary expense
~ repetition of tests. When con
Iitlons seem similar to those in other
,laces. where success has seemed to |
ave been secured from the use of
'ertain material in a definite way the |
commission has proved for the treat |
nent OF is macadam along the same
ines. This is the case on the West
tort road, the Falls road, the Hartford |
Dad and the Philadelphia road. where
he contracts already awarded provide
he pitching of the macadam to be
aid and during It's construction. which
$ undoubtedly the most lasting
method of doing the work. Some new
work soon to be let (the Liberty road.
he Belair road and others) will prob
Ibly be also done in a similar way.
The commission has recently voted
.lso to treat with oil or pitch three
Dads at Chestertown, Easton and
'ederalsburg) built last year of or
inary macadam. The traffic and
maintenance considerations seem to
Justify this additional expense.
Undoubtedly, as it is proved in
ther cases that such action on the
art of the commission is warranted,
t will promptly be taken and every
fort will be made to do the work in
he most modern and economical man
Ter.
After all, the foregoing points as
veil as most of the considerations of
construction, are merely incidentals
# the great and main road problem
hat of road maintenance. | consider
his question of proper and economi-
al maintenance the greatest one for
Is to consider and to solve.
. 1t is possible to maintain in good.
satisfactory condition a road built
Inder any reasonable plans, but the
ost of such maintenance can be re-
uced to the minimum by proper
flaming in the construction of it.
further economy and satisfaction can
e had by 'oiling' or tarring' or
pitching, undoubtedly in many eases
nd by proper methods of performing
he actual work of maintenance.
;ut no matter how well or expensive
= constructed, no road can remain
satisfactory from any point Of view
Mess it is maintained
80 There were some that said
here was not business here for a
CIV Ice plant. There are number