Middletown transcript., 1914-05-16

Solution Awaited With Interest.
The next task which faces the State
Road Commission is the spreading Of
crude oil on all improved highways.
The work will probably be completed
by July 1. The cost will be somewhat
in excess of 100000.
The policy of spreading oil on the
roads is followed by the commission
with two main objects in view: The
preservation of the roads, as the oil
has q binding effect, and the laying
Of dust.
The most visible results of the
policy of oil surfacing are the slippery
conditions which are rendering the
roads almost unfit for horse and team
traffic, though very desirable for use
by automobiles. To overcome these
undesirable conditions for horses the
state commission will resort to the use
of different kinds of oil with the eX-
pectation that while the dust will be
laid and while the binding effect will
be secured, rougher surface will be
obtained. Numerous have been the
suggestions and tests that coating Of
sand or ashes be spread over the roads
at the same time the oil was applied,
thus securing a foothold for horses.
These tests have been failures. The
result was nothing. The application
of oil was spoiled and at the same time
a rougher surface was not produced.
The problem which has confronted
the State Roads Commission and
which the commission has sincerely
and honestly striven to meet is the
construction of roads which will meet
the needs Of automobiles and Of
horses. In meeting the problem the
commission has encountered two an
tagonistic elements, the automobile
owner and the farmer. The fact has
been recognized and dealt with accord
ingly that the automobile is here to
stay. The automobile owner who is
heavily taxed, has demanded smooth,
hard, durable, and dustless roads. The
smooth roads have been serious i'm
pediments to the farmer in hauling his
crops to the market and in pleasure
driving. The use Of the horse for
pleasure driving, not only by farmers
and by farmers sons, but also by city
and town residents, has been wholly
abolished except in sections where dirt |
roads still prevail.
Chairman o. E. Weller, of the State
Roads Commission, is one of the vic
Tins of the superabundance of auto
mobiles and the smoothing of roads. |
He owned, beautiful and well-match-
ed pair of driving horses to which he |
was attached. He was not long in dis
covering that all the pleasure of driv-
ing his double team was destroyed in !
lodging automobiles, let alone the con-
slant slipping. He disposed of his
horses at a sacrifice and invested in
an automobile.
Harrison Ride, one of the best-known
residents and farmers of Baltimore
county, frankly confesses that the use
of horses for pleasure driving is no
more possible. He relates that in
years gone by, when automobiles did
not crowd the road, he could easily
lriVe from his home near Towson to
he Green Spring Valley in an hour.
Now two hours are required for the
Journey. The extra hour, Mr.. Rider
'ays, is lost in lodging automobiles.
lie further says that the hoofs of his
avorite driving mare have been cut
way in constant reshodding rendered
because of the smooth roads.
An English concern has offered a cash
)rize of $4,000 to the man who will in
rent horseshoe which will meet the
equirements of modern smooth roads
md at the same time not tear up the
oads.
The State Roads Commission is con-
family in receipt Of complaints from
armers and other horse drivers that
he oiled roads are too smooth; that
hey are unfit for use; that they have
o surrender the right of way to auto
mobiles. The commission is meeting
hese complaints as best it can. It's
most effective answer is its policy of
oncrete roads instead Of macadam
Dads. There has been no complaint
f concrete roads by farmers and other
rivers of horses. These roads have a
ough surface which will not wear off.
The general policy of the State
loads Commission in favor of concrete
S against macadam roads is indicated
y figures, furnished by the commits
ion. Thus far 65 miles of concrete
Dads have been completed. There .
re under construction 67.1O miles. In j
luded in the uncompleted work is a
magnificent stretch of IS miles of con- ,
rete road between Salisbury and
cean City.
STATE OFFICE FOR A. EUGENE Z