Evening journal., 1912-12-19
THURSDAY, DEC. 10 1912.
oFFIcrAL CONSOLIDATION SUGGESTED.


rr>HE term Of the present State Highway Commits
sioner for New Castle county being about to
pre the cizcns and taxpayers of this county should
consider carefully several matters in connection
with that appointment and use their influence with
the Governor to make such an appointment that
would produce much better results than obtained
az the present time
The science and art Of road construction have
reached point whore something more than guess
work and so-called practical knowledge required
81 expect obtain results that will be of value and
that viii meet the financial and economic conditions
Of the present time
The Office requires a good engineer: not merely one
who is equipped with an extensive theoretical know-
edge but whose skin and technical ability in this
particular line is beyond question: who is equipped
with good judgment and practical and economic IDEAS
who is broad enough to know what will achieve the
greatest results for the least amount Of money and
who is I'm sympathy with progressive ideas, both in
practical and economic principles.
The New Castle County State Highway Commission
receives salary Of $1,000 year. That would be
a poor salary for a poor craftsman let alone good
engineer The act under which this office was created
provides the amount Of salary to be paid and Of
course until that law is amended that condition
not be remedied. IL is impossible to obtain officer
who properly would perform the duties Of the Office
for that meagre salary The work requires great
deal Of time attention the commissioner should
be compensated amply for his engineering skill and
labor
New Castle county employs a County Engineer at
n salary Of $4,000 year His duties are the upkeep
and maintenance Of the roads in the different
hundreds He also in advisory capacity to
the Levy Court bridges and causeways without
additional salary. The Highway Improvement Act
provides that the Office OF Highway Commissioner and
County Engineer may be one and the same; that is
that person. may hold both positions at the
salary is paid the County Engineer II is con-
tended by many persons that 1t would he an excellent
plan TO have the hll these two important
positions for two
Firstly combining the Offices there would be
gained greater efficiency because OF action
and greater attention to the duties of the Office
Second-Economical benefits would accrue. because
Of the saving OF 81 GOO year New Castle county by
Of the fact of tho State paying $1,000 Of the
present County Engineers salary his salary as
Highway Commissioner; and more economical
engineering and administrative organization instead Of
the TWO separate organizations that now exist
No doubt the present County Engineer would not
object the performance Of the duties of these two
Offices, the work being of such nature that it would
NJ in very well with his present duties As the county
Wel-equlpped with for travel and inspection.
greater efficiency it is asserted would result
Tho people of New Castle county should consider
this suggestion carefully II the be submitted
properly TO the Governor doubt he also will CON
slider H. There certainly is an earnest desire on the
part of the people to have good roads. and to get
them as economically as possible.