Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-14

ment in Maryland is equally emphatic il
favoring this great reform for the amelio
ration of the large number of these afflicted
persons. The dictates of humanity, as wei
/ as of sound and far-seeing policy designed
to safeguard the people of the present day
as well as future generations. justify the
course here recommended.
| INCOME TAX.
Il approve and indorse the principle OF
an income tax. II is policy supported
by the Democratic party and rests upon
sound considerations of political economy
and right, AS indicated hereafter. how
ever, am of the opinion that this policy
should be adopted as State policy and a
reasonable tax upon incomes and upon
direct inheritances should be laid by the
State government. The Federal Govern
ment. exercising powers which have been
challenged by many distinguished Ameri-
can citizens from the days of Thomas JEFF
ferson to the present time, has laid pro-
hibitive tariff duties at rates so high as to
seriously impair the Federal revenues.
Il cannot but regard the proposal upon
the part of the Federal Government to
raise additional revenues by means of a
Federal income tax as an expedient upon
its part to enable it to maintain its present
unjust and extortionate tariff system. In
the maintenance of that iniquity am I'M
willing to unite. The great masses of the
American people, including the people of
Maryland, are demanding relief from the
oppression of the present Federal tariff,
and steps should be taken to enforce a
revision of existing tariff rates downward,
rather than to enable them to be main
tanned and perpetuated.
Moreover, the power of imposing taxes
upon inheritances and incomes is clearly
reserved to the States and within the scope
of State authority. In my judgment, it
should be exercised by the States and not
delegated to the general Government; and
in addition to this, considerations of reve-
nue. and economy upon the part of this
State, especially in view of the works of
internal improvement upon which it has
embarked, certainly justify the retention
by the State itself Of this important source
of revenue.
Coop ROADS.
THE Legislature of 1908 passed what is
known as the Good Roads law, its purpose
being to improve the main arteries of pub
lie travel throughout the State The com
mission appointed, as authorized by the
provisions of this law, visited all the cOun-
ties of the State, and after comforting
with the people of each laid out system
of State highways for improvement, a plat
OF the same being hereto annexed
IN addition to the laying out of this
system. they have surveyed 43l miles of
roads and have contracted for the con-
struction of l08 miles, rs miles of which
have been graded and 43 1-2 miles have
been completed.
THE contract price was higher than an
ticipated, although not higher than similar
roads in other States, when il Is remem-
bered that the price here includes all
bridges, which is not always included In
the prices of roads In other States. The
roads contracted for were in width IA feet
and depth of macadam 8 inches, except
in some of the Eastern Shore counties and
in Southern Maryland. The same charac-
ter of roads in Massachusetts, cost that
State on an average of 5000 mile.
THE importance Of this work cannot be
over estimated in its economy for our agri-
culturists and others who have to use the
public highways and the increased COM
forts and convenience of our people in the
enhancing of the value of property and in
the development Of the resources of the
State.
Laws have been passed in many States
of the South providing for convict labor
on the public highways, and ii has worked
most successfully, and great improvement
of the public roads has resulted. By do
ing this return can be made for the
money expended in maintaining prisoners
in jail and in other prisons throughout the
State, and it would be much better for the
prisoners themselves that they have such
open-air employment, instead OF being CON
fined in prison idle where they frequently
become victims Of tuberculosis and mental
diseases.
81 therefore strongly recommend the
passage of legislation enabling this to be
done, which should be of character which
would prevent any abuses to the convict
when engaged in such work. and that
would prevent their escape, and should be
broad enough in its provisions to permit
the road authorities to avail themselves of
its use for any kind Of road work, either
on improved roads or repair of the ordinary
dirt roads Of the State
1.-THE transportation of material is an
other item which adds greatly to the ex-
penses Of publc-rOad construction. Any
way by which reductions could be made
in this expense will greatly lessen the cost
OF roads
1.-THE owning and operating of quarries
by the State, from which material could
be supplied as required at the lowest pos
sible price, is another means by which re-
ducti0n In the cost Of roads could be much
effected.
II recommend that the commission hav-
ing charge Of the supervision and building
OF roads under what is known as the State
Aid law and other laws-the highway d.
vision Of the Geological Survey be abol-
| iShed, and that the whole work on all our
different systems be placed under the con-
troll of the State Roads Commission II is
all one general subject, and the admins
tratiOn cost would thereby be greatly les
sened when only one department instead
of two is kept up Complications would
be avoided. the bookkeeping simplified and
many other practical advantages secured
Amendments to the Good Roads law
with reference to the question of the main
tenance Of said roads when constructed
will be necessary. as this Is one of the
most important features connected with
the construction OF good roads. The dura-
ton OF improved roads is very largely q
question Of their proper care and mainte-
nance after they have been constructed.
This great work OF public-road improve
ment, that means so much for the devel-
opment OF the resources Of our Common
wealth, must be kept moving onward with
all possible dispatch and economy.
Under the State aid system SO miles of
improved roads have been built. The re-
ports Of the State Roads Commission and
highway division Of the Geological Survey
will be before you, containing detailed ac-
l.
formation as to pixies, etc
Il would also recommend that in the
different counties Of the State. where they
have not already done so. a business sys-
TEN Of repair Of roads other than those
comprising a part Of the State system be
adopted. Improvement along this line is
more vital and important than improve
ment Of the main State highways, which
necessarily constitute very small part Of
the roads used by the people in the trans
action Of everyday business. They should