The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-02
MORE SOL|D|TY
IN STATE ROADS
To Be Aim OF The Commission In
The Future.

/ AS far as possible the States Roads
Commission will in the future inaugur-
ate system of concrete surfacing for
public roads. Chief Engineer Shirley
has recently improved a mile on the
Baltimore Washington boulevard on
which concrete was used The cost
was about 500 for the mile.
This sum looks large and it is large,
but it is claimed that the concrete road
will be the more economical in the
long run. TIE roads constructed on the
plans heretofore employed are beginning
to show wear and tear. In Massachu-
sets, whence the present system of
road building in this State has been i'm
ported, the cost of repair of the first
three or four years was as high as 81, 900
mile each year. This cost continued
for several years with gradual reduc-
ton, until the average cost is now about
$500 per mile each year. This reduc-
ton has been made possible by constant
additions to the road bed, thus building
a deeper and stronger foundation.
1t is pointed out that Maryland must
go through the same experience with
its public roads. Already the cost of
repair is becoming large item. More
funds will be available next year than
this because of revenues from State
tax to be devoted to this purpose. A
patrol system has already been estab-
Used by which repairs are being con-
stantly made.
The fact has been demonstrated to
the satisfaction of the State Roads
| Commission that the roads as hereto
fore constructed will not long stand the
wear and tear of automobile traffic,
This wear promises to become greater
because of the more general use of
heavy auto trucks.
While discussing the road improve
ment question in Maryland recently
Governor Goldsborough SAID:
In Central Maryland and near Balti-
more water-bound macadam, bituminous
macadam, concrete and vitrified brick
are being utilized, according to the car
rying conditions and the more intense
traffic.
1t Is a fact no longer open to contro-
versy that water bound macadam roads
of stone, gravel or oyster shells will
ravel, rut and deteriorate rapidly under
motor traffic. At the same time no
thoroughly demonstrated substitute at
reasonable cost is at hand for macadam.
A large amount of experimentation is
going on throughout the United States
to develop a not too expensive road
which will Withstand the wear and tear
of heavy motor traffic without excess
sive reconstruction and maintenance
charges. At this period it looks as if
some form of concrete road, with a
bitumen carpet, would come nearest to
answering the requirements. Such
roads are being tried out in several
states, and very extensively in Wayne
county, Mich, in which the city of
Detroit is located
Careful study and investigation of
this subject have been made by Char
man Weller and Chief Engineer Shirley,
with the result that in our own state
five roads of this kind are now being
started, three short stretches on the
Washington Boulevard, namely. at the
Bladensburg, at Paint Branch and in the
village of Laurel. and five miles in
Charles county. from Rock Point to
Tompkinsville, and on the worst of the
clay sections on the old Post road, from
North East to Elkton, in Cecil county.
The successful demonstration of these
roads would mean much to our State,
and plans are already being formulated
for developing an organization capable
of constructing them properly.
This is one of the most serious ques-
tons facing the commission. The state
has nearley 275 miles of road construct
ed and has taken over 1870 miles of road
Opti dllOii, anu IL 10 cStlHldleu THAT
this will be increased to 800 miles with
the money already appropriated. These
roads must and will be maintained. On
this point the commission is determined.
The people demand the roads and are
willing to pay for them. 1t is folly to
put the money in them unless they are
kept up.
Should a bill which Representative
Stanton Warburton, of Washington,
has prepared receive the favorable ac-
ton of Congress, the United States
within the next five years Will have one
of the most comprehensive systems of
smooth highways in the world. Mr..
Warburton s measure provides for trunk
lines to connect the capital of each state
with the national capital.
The proposed roadways are to be of
asphalt or brick. Mr.. Warburton' S
measure contemplates the raising of the
funds for their construction by restoring
the internal revenue tax on tobacco,