The citizen., 1913-03-07
Good Roads.
BfeSSrS Edik0yS.'

II
In a recent interview with the County
Commissioners you state, "rhev take
issue with Mr.. Groves statement and
"claim Mr. Groves figures are wrong"
The records of the State show under the
Shoemaker or State Aided Road Law
Frederick County is entitled this year to
SIS, S3S. o2 and if the county is to avail it.
sell Of this fund, application must be
made before March Ist. | see advertised
one mile of road near BurkittSville under
this law. which would mean Frederick
County if the bid is accepted would get
about three thousand dollars due Freder-
lck County that will be taken by Mont
gomery and the other more progressive
counties OF the state.
You also say, Concerning Mr.. Groves
statement that the county was entitled TO
s., 10000 by reason of the automobile
fund. the Commissioners say they receiv.
ed letter stating the County's portion
from the fund for last year was $40 90. "
Taking the County Commissioners figures
as correct shows loss from this fund to
Frederick County last year of $500. 90.
This wear Motor Vehicle fund. which is
available the 18th, of April will be about
500. ooo 90 of this amount. Had Fred
erick County taken its allotment OF the
State Aid fund, it would be entitled
to about $1,000. 90, and will probably get
5000. as | believe there is one mile OF
Shoemaker road at Braddock Heights.
You say the Commissioners state. "Mr.
Grove recommended Shoemaker roads,
and these they say he should know cost
from SI2. .ooo 90 to SIS, 600 90 per mile, as
h h.. .,
same specifications. During the nine
years we have been building Shoemaker
roads. we have never built mile of road
that cost as much as SIS. 10000 and dur
ing that time only two miles of road that
cost as much as $40, 600 90 per mile, these
were built in Prince George County, be-
ginning at the District line and running
toward Hyattsville The stone for these
roads were unloaded in the District OF
Columbia where they Mork short hours.
and get good pay, like some of our
friends around the Court House.
The actual cost Of these two miles was,
first mile $I3,I2So3, second SII ,oo5, 46.
We admit this seems like an eXorbitant
price, but when you consider a road that
had to meet the demand of the heavy
traffic entering into Washington, this road
was also built on treacherous soil, and
many thousand feet of terra Gotta pipe had
to be used for drainage besides number
of concrete culverts and some heavy
grading. All the stone were sent from
our quarry's. 1t was well built and is
standing splendidly, Notwithstanding the
heavy automobile traffic. We have built
roads under the Shoemaker Law and
specifications at less than 100000 per
mile.
We built one mile at Germantown cost
ing 81, sol. SO the stone were all shipped
from our quarrieS there was very little
grading drainage, or concrete work to
do. There is heavy traffic on this road
but it stood up pretty well, notwithstand-
ing the competition among the farmers
hauling heavy loads when the road was
first built, one farmer bringing over the
road 22S bushels with four horses IN a
single load.
What ! believe is fair average cost,
and | give theHA actual figures for four
miles of road built bv us from Barnes
vile to Poolesville, first mile cost s., oS6.-
65, second S6,ooo.oI, third S6,46o. So
fourth So. 500 So, total of SIS ot6.7I, or
practically $1,000 90 per mile. These stone
WClc dII SulppSu Oy IAN HOHl Oui qudI
rles. There was some heavy grading,
considerable drainage. and number of
concrete culverts. The road is standing
up splendidly, the cost maintenance has
been very little. Many fine dwellings
have been erected, and there seems to be
prosperity abounding, and Improvements
means revenue to the county
The road has been used with pleasure
and satisfaction by residents of the neigh
borhood. The village people Of Barnes
vile walk to the station distance of one
mile with light hearts and stainless shoes.
while the automobile speed in from Pool
esvie and the dairy man is grateful and
saws his morning prayer. Blessed is he
who has helped to make him happy, and
here is where comeiin, which is more to
me than money.
VIM. |. GROVE.