The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-03-15

To the People of Prince Georges County:
There has appeared recently, in the
public prints, what purports to be re-
sumo of bill recently introduced by
Mr.. Ogle Marbury in the Legislature.
We are told that it is prompted by
Democratic and public expedlency and
not by fractional feeling. OF course
not! Our learned delegate states that
he has been called upon-"besieged
to be exact-by numerous Prince
Georgians to accomplish some change
in the present road law. which shall
correct it's defects" and be based on
principles democratic and economic.
Passing over. the latter points with
only suggestion that evidently TO his
mind Democratic means unsportsman-
like and that his arithmetic is both de-
lusive and faulty, in that he tells US the
net saving in salaries ($2,O OO.U minus
S84O. 90 minus also any amounts to be
paid for Engineer as needed Will
be 81, lao. 100, we come to the statement
of our wise and impartial legislator, in
which, with becoming modesty, ne tells
us that his bill fills all our needs.
Now before presenting the argu-
mepts by which / wish to show his
measure to be the retrogressive and
pern;cious one it is, desire to remind
You that I have no constituency nor
any political backing in this county 80
that, if, to you, the points make seem
logical it isn't because you are blinded
hv fractional feeling or mislead through
vour confidence in the writer but only
because of the truth of what is written.
I ask then: Are the defects in law
most likely to be intelligently corrected
by those who have worked with it day
in and day out for two years or by one
opposed to that law for political rea-
sons from the beginning and who in
his honest endeayor to correct its de-
fects neverAnce found it necessary to
even appre 1.-The office of the Board
of Road Directors or the Road Engi-
neer to see what was being done?
Have YOU ever anywhere seen OF
heard of a system of good highways IN
direction of which there is not an En-
gineer?
Does it seem wise to take the expend'
iture of the taxes paid for roads from
the hands of body of men who give
their entire time and thought to an in
telIigent use thereof and put it back II
charge of a body of men, intelligent
and well-meaning, who think OF the
roads once every two weeks!
When you have thought over an al
honestly answered these questions II
yourself, read just little further.
About two years ago the presen
Board and Engineer entered into charge
of about 700 miles of public roads al
ready in a most pitiable condition
Omitting from consideration that thu
first seasons work was practically vi
tiated because of the withholding O
funds, the charge of the public road
was turned over without one item O.
available data as to the names ant
condition of roads, with but inadequate
Mats of less than 20 miles of road, with
out data as to the number, size type O
&C ;tion of single bridge, or ever
les of public road existing. A.
as orr means have permitte!
q made surveys of roads witt
protles and have partially prepared
road maps of the several election dis
tricts to show all pslblic roads, roa'
mileage. etc., and to be had on appli
cation of any taxpayer. These work