The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1911-11-18
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Automobiles Urge Improvement Of
Elkton. Perryville Road

The meeting called for Saturday even
ing in Mechanics Hall in furtherance
of the proposed improvement of the
-Perryville section of the old Post
Road, mainly urged by automobilists US
ing the coast route, from Boston to
Jacksonville, was fairly well al.enu, d.
A number Of members of the Maryland
Automobile Club were present. Music
was furnished by Messrs. John NJ. Dun
bar and c. E. Finck, cornetist and vio
linist, and Mrs. James n. Evans, pianist.
Previous to the meeting there was a
parade of automobiles, making a circuit
OF the town. Fifteen cars were in line
and made quite a striking display, notab-
ly, while descending Partridge Hill. Dr..
H4 AZ MITCHELL President ot Elkton
Town Council, was chairman of the
meeting, and after stating its object, in
tr0duced Mr.. NJ. o. Eldridge, of the Good
Roads Section of the Department of
Agriculture at Washington.
Mr.. Eldredge said he had just come
over the Post Road and quoted what
Charles Dickens had said of it on one
Of his tours. He had found it as a
traveller had found it in 1896, the latter
saying-"The worst road in the United
States is from Elkton to the Susque-
hanna Ferry" But the road could be
readily improved, at no great cost, as
sand clay and gravel were available
along its stretches. Roads in South
Jersey had been made with these maL.r-
ials with good results. The Depart
ment of Agriculture would send officials
TO make a survey for the improved road
or to assist in such survey if made by
home officials. Mr. Eldredge then gave
a series of fine stereopticon views of
roads in France, Swift .erland, Germany,
Holland, Ireland and England and of
roads before and after Improvement in
various sections of the United States,
noting the progress made since maca-
dam and Telford began modern road
building and giving the essentials as
experience had determined them, c1
permanent and satisfactory highways
Roads of all kinds ewr, shown in the
views and Mr. Eldredgt spoke of the
valeu of the King Split Log Drag on or
dnary roads and the economy of sand
clay roads, wherever they were practi-
cable.
ME. Frederick F. Smith, of New Jer-
sey, was next introduced. He said he
VhS ldmllldi WITH lue Supleo VI thc
chesapeake and had felt that the Perry
vile -Elkton road ought to be improved
frem the time he was first stuck upon
it,, near North East. The road was
part of the old Post Route from Boston
TO Baltimore. He had naturally thought
that route would have been selected
tinder the Maryland Good Roads pro-
gram, but the northerly route, via Como
Winso had been preferred and was much
ft,t - expensive. But aside from the
seleGtien of the upper route, the lower
pne was needed alike for general public
and home purposes, aid must be i'm
proved, U; s. Road Commissioner Page
urged the need of the roads improve
ment, and would cooperate with the
State and County Engineers. 1t was pro-
posed to take the natLFdl, clay, sand and
gravel, found right on the ground. The
cost would not be great. The State and
County Engineers thought the outlay
would not exceed 100000. The State and
county could give some aid. Hotel
keepers Of Washington and Baltimore
WGild contribute, as would also the
fIavre de Grace Bridge Company, and
automobiliSts WHO desired the roads
SP"ai u9 ~ "''"0' t''ohs
safely be promised toward the total
outlay needed for the work. 1t might
be said that automobilists chiefly urged
the work but they had paid out to hotels
and garages $6O,OOo,ooo last year in New
England, where 1000 miles of good roads
had been built within the past l@o ue-
eades. Good roads had increased farm
values in New Jersey, as they did and
would everywhere, and the project pro-
posed could not fail to do likewise in
Cecil county. On Tuesday evening Mr..
Smith addressed meeting of the Auto
mobile Club of Maryland, held at the
Hotel Emerson, Baltimore, in further
ance of the project, and resolution
was adopted to request the Cecil County
Comm issioners to improve the road Mr..
Smith stated that it had been proposed
that if the county would spend $4,000 on
the werk $4,000 of more would be added
by priYate subscription.