Norwich bulletin., 1912-11-05
NEW YORK AUTHORITY
 PRAISES MACDONALD

PRAISES MACDONALD This States Roads Serve as Models for Others-Highway Commission CTS Patrol System Commended- Department Administration Cost Low.
 The attempt being made by mere handful of prominent democratic of flee holders and politicians parading as the automobilists of Connecticut to inject politics into the management of the highway department in the closing hours of the campaign through an unwarranted attack on Commis- sioner James H. Macdonald was se- verely condemned by Frederick H. Elliott of New York, well known to automobilists of this state, who spent Sunday at the Hotel Taft in New Haven.
 Leader in Good Roads.
 MT. Elliott has for many years been prominently identified with the nation al motoring organization and through his efforts has accomplished much good in the interest of mtor car us- CTS, and was one of the first to take up actively the good roads movement that has become widespread through out the United States.
 Through travelling and touring ex- tensively throughout the country, Mir. Elliott has become personally ac- quainted with the highway commits sioners and road authorities and from his own personal knowledge and in- VestigatiOn is in a position to express an opinion as to the regard and es- teem in which State Highway Com missioner Macdonald is held by the foremost highway officials and au- thOrities in other states.
 Tourist Likes Our Roads. MT. Elliott calls attention to the | fact that the roads of Connecticut are praised by every tourist and are com mended by the officials of other states ] as the best in this country In sev- ] eral of the other states the cOnstruc- | tion and maintenance policy inaugu- rated by MT. Macdonald has been adopted with great success and the l department is continually being called upon for information and suggestions in various forms by the authorities of ! other commonWealths.
 Spent About S12,Ooo, 900.
 There are about 1900 miles of im-
 
 | of a total mileage of approximately | 15,000, which have been constructed | from various appropriations Hggre- gating in the neighboThOOd of $12,- 000,000 The increases have been very material each succeeding year from | the first years fund of only $75,000 tC that of the present year of $3,500, 900 mainly through the untiring efforts ot Commissioner Macdonald, who has had the support and cooperation o1 | the committee on roads, rivers, anC bridges of the general assembly.
 Lowest Average Cost Per Mile.
 The administration cost of the high. way department in this state is only five per cent. of the total annual ap. propriation, and much less than tha of other states. and nowhere are th' roads being built at such a low aver age cost per mile as in Connecticut which naturally arouses the ire of tn, road contractors, who are constantly on the lookout for favoritism.
 1000 Men In Patrol System.
 The patrol system which has beel so successfully inaugurated by Com missioner Macdonald employs upward of one thousand men who are unde the direct supervision of eight super intendents whose duty it is to inspec the entire road system of the stat with automobiles which are not owne by the highway department but wer | purchased by the superintendent themselves. The interest shown b , these superintendents is best evidence : by, the reason of the fact that the furnish the use of their cars to tn state at a cost of not to exceed fiv cents per mile, thereby giving tn state a quick and economical patrC system, unequaled anywhere in tn l United States.
 Paving Interests Against Commission
 CTS.
 The fact that many of the road con tractors and representatives of pavin interests are unfriendly to Connect cuts energetic commissioner require , no further comment, and the retentio in office for eighteen years of a sin 1 gle efficient and honorable highwa r commissioner is self-evidence of hi ability to properly perform the dutie of this office economically and satis l factorily thereby eliminating selfis politics from any participation i highway construction and maintenanc which is most essential and commend I able.
 Keep Out Politics. Automobilists as well as all othe users of the roads, should hasten t the support of Commissioner Mac Donald regardless of their party affil iations, with a view to keeping tn highway department out of politics an setting aside for all time the effol to criticise and condemn a splendi public official whose record and ca reer are above reproach.