Evening star., 1912-09-01
BY HOWARD S. FISK.

- EAGIRT, n. J., August 31.-The
elimination of the sandy stretch
between Perryville and Elkton.
~ Nd. and the construction of a
fine highway. would not only ma
teriaIly reduce. the running time. but
would afford an ideal trip from the Ma
ttonal Capital to this place, Spring Lake,
Belmar, Asbury Park and other popular
summer resorts in this vicinity along the
coast. Tho distance from Washington
to Seagirt is 234 miles. with excellent
roads all the way. with the above ex-
ception. Maryland has been doing some
splendid work in the road-bulding line
and has established a reputation for
being a progressive state from this
standpoint. and hardly a visitor who
motors through this fifteen miles of sand
and desert ever forgets his experience
over what Is termed the short route"
to Philadelphia. Once desirable road
way is constructed 1t will have a tend
ency to at once increase the traffic over
this popular route and prove a boon to
motoring in Maryland. The financial
benefits to that section through which
the road runs should also not be lost
sight of. as has been demonstrated IN
nearly every instance where a new high
been worn out by travel and permitted
to become in demoralized condition.
Just at this time an attempt is being
made to improve the road between Perry
vile and Northeast, Md, or, rather,
Charlestown and Northeast. if this par
ticular route is taken. The writer, who
motored over the road a few days ago,
found large force of men engaged in
blowing and grading the road. The fore
man stated that it was contemplated to
grade and gravel the highway. Just how
far this will be done could not be ascer-
tanned, as the stretch where the men
We're plOwing the road was on the long
steep hill grade between Charlestown and
Northeast, being practically in the center
of the long stretch of sand. 1t might be
well for motorists to remember that this
road is being worked. and they are ad-
vised not to strike this section after dark.
The road has been plowed to a depth Of
from twelve to fourteen inches. and un-
less unusual care Is exercised the driver
will find himself stuck and team of
horses required to pull him through.
Nearly every machine which had passed
over the road the day previous to the
writer's trip had to be pulled out. In the
daylight hours the teams engaged in
hauling the dirt and plowing are at the
disposal Of motorists. but any one caught
in this predicament after sundown proba-
bly, will be required to spend the night on
the road. One can imagine how stren-
uous motoring conditions are when 1t was
necessary to haul a six-cylinder touring
car of high horsepower out only the day
before.
Two machines constituted the party
which left Washington one afternoon last
week. and, being desirous of motoring
through the stretch just referred to in
the daytime, no attempt was made to
go farther than Havre de Grace, Md.
about eighty-fve miles from Washing
ton. The route from the National Capt.
tai was via the Baltimore-Washington
boulevard. At Contee the road condi-
tions were found about as good as they
ever are, while the new macadam road
which connects the new stretch, which is
being constructed on the west side of
the railroad tracks between Beltsville
and Contee, with the town of Laurel
was completed and no detour was found
necessary. Work is progressing rapidly
on that portion of the boulevard referred
to be opened for traffic. This will
eliminate two grade crossings on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad and be a
great saving Of time for the motorists
between Washington and Baltimore The
highway between Laurel and Baltimore
was receiving fresh coat OF oil and for
| miles 1t was necessary to trail slowly in
the rear of the big automobile oiling
machine Wn1cn was spreading the not
on the road surface No attempt should
be made to speed over newly oiled
road, as 1t tends to splash over the occu-
pants of the Car, not to mention the in
convenience when it comes to re-
moving it.
Passing through Laurel and Elkridge it
will be necessary to enter Baltimore
either via Wilkens or Edmonston avenue.
as the end of the boulevard Columbia
avenue is being macadamized and Is
blocked to traffic. Our departure from the
Monumental city was via North Charles
avenue to Towson, where took the
road to the right for Lock Raven and
Glenarm. From Baltimore to Towson the
route was via Green Spring valley over
excellent macadam roads. distance of
fine gravel road takes up and continues
to Glenarm, where for a short distance
occurs a break until a macadamized road
once more appears in view and alternat-
ing with good dirt road. Crossing the
railroad at Glenarm, we turned to the
left and headed for Fork, which is on the
main road to Belair and Havre de Grace.
The road from Ford to Belair is rather
rough in places, but is considered the
most desirable road between these points.
From Relair, however macadam nigh
way leads all the way to iavre de
Grace En- route the motorist passes
through Churchville. We arrived here at
supper time and spent the night, resum-
ing our Journey to Philadelphia and this
Mace early the next morning. Havre de
Grace Is supplied with several hotels and