Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
BY HOWARD FISK.

time when all of the toll gates in
Maryland and Pennsylvania will be
IL abolished. When that time does ar
rive there will be great rejoicing on
the part of the motorists, not only In
this section of the country, but visiting
motorists as we'll. With the recent pur-
chase by the Maryland state road COM
mission of toll roads between Baltimore
and the western border Of the state OF
Maryland comes the announcement that
in the near future all toll gates between
these points will go, according to John
NJ. Tucker, chairman of the commission.
The total expenditure by the commission
for toll roads was S134,GO0. Not only was
this outlay made, but additional funds
will be expended for grading and resur-
facing the roadway as soon as the re-
naming parts of the right Of way have
been secured. When this is all COM
pleted the total length Of the road will
be about 172 miles.
While Pennsylvania has abolished al
few toll gates during the past year. the
motorists in the Keystone state have
started a campaign with a view to abol-
ishing every toll gate in the state. The
Pennsylvania Motor Federation has
adopted the slogan THE Toll Gate Must
Co." and from this time forward the
ulOloIlStS Will iSut 1OT tuS
of this relic of the ancients. Motorists
from the west who come to this part of
the continent are amazed to learn that
even at this late day these relics OF a
bygone age are allowed to barricade the
public highways and demand tribute from
those who pass by. Looking upon the
toll road as a nuisance and annoyance,
motorists have been known to take de-
vious routes in order to avoid them. Not
only that, but the mOtorist will often
n NJ hic vca ri fro1y
miles and miles of inferior roads rather
than be halted at intervals along the
road and asked to pay toll
Those who travel by railroad and sell
dom motor over the highways can ap-
preciate the extent to which this levy
ing of toll is carried On by this ancient
system. In three counties in the Key
stone state, adjacent to Philadelphia,
II Is said that there are 354 miles OF
toll roads, and SO stiff are the charges
Tor the motorist who travels over them
that they greatly exceed the cost for
1are on railroad.
Not only will the motorist benefit by
the adjustment of the toll gates, but
the motor cyclist and farmer as well.
| but, of course, not to such an extent
as the motorist. who is today obliged
to pay the highest tariff. Toll is coll
lected from the farmer going and re-
turning to market, and Sunday he
is taxed when lie drives to church. The
motor cycifst Is held up in the same
manner, and has to pay his proper
tionate amount also, despite the fact
that the roads are supposed to be pub
lie highways. In many instances the
motorist is compelled to pay toll over
road, which is far inferior to some
OF the county roads, for which no
charge is made for the privilege of
Ut 1T
timore there are a number of toll roads
which motorists avoid, not only in order
| to escape the toll charge, but the roads
themselves, which are in deplorable
condition. On one occasion the writer
laid out new route over fine
macadam road for the benefit of motor
| lists en- route to Philadelphia, in order
! to eliminate the toll gates and rough
roads. The Baltimore HagerStown turn
pike, which is lined with toll gates. will
probably be the first highway to receive
| the attention Of the Maryland state
| roads commission. Washington motor
| lists are undoubtedly familiar with the
| toll stations along this pike. and be
| glad when the day arrives when they
| can glide swiftly over the roads with
out seeing a big barrier across the
on. can got by the toll gate. but on
the Frederick Gettysburg turnpike the
| ba rriers are locked down. so that it
Is impossible to steal march on the
\ toll keeper. On tnlS same PIKE the
| motorist is often compelled during the
late hours Of the night to wait until
| the gatekeeper gets up, comes out on
| the porch, and. after searching about
! witt the gid ~ lantern, unlocks the
gate and collects the toll, before the jour-
/ lie, .Aa Dc resumed. Inrough the Shen-
andoah valley the toll gate is promi-
nent figure, but here the roads are
found of superior character, conse-
ouently the motorist does not complain
| so much when he has to pay toll. The
toll gates are more scattered. and fewer
stops are made by tourists on this ac-
count. Maryland is taking Il step in
the right direction, and when they are
all abolished it will be found that the
/ roads will be better patrOnized and the
revenues increased throughout the state
when the visiting motorist stops over.
! With the view of building a new
motor road in Virginia which will con-
meet Richmond and Newport News. the
motor clubs of the two cities are look
ing after the effecting of an organiza-
ton which IT is thought will be COM
pleted by January l and ready TO begin
actual work. The distance between
the cities is just eight-six miles, and
L route has been mapped out which
will make the trip one OF but four
nv y1rnt In ,t4