Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-02-09
THE BOULEVARD FROM STATE
TO NATIONAL CAPITAL
fFrom the Baltimore American.l

lErom the Baltimore Anerlcan.f
No finer interest in the subject Of
modern roadways for the State could
be manifested than for the Legislature
to dedicate a sufficient amount Of the
public funds to the construction Of
boulevard from Annapolis to Washing
ton. This project that has excited wide
attention and marks the high water
point Of road planning for the State
and the contiguous District Of Colum-
.bia. has aspects of interest that make
it at once matter of the most en-
lightened local concern and of the most
important federal interest
IT has been demonstrated. if demon
stration were needed. by the feet ma
neuvers Of the American ships.that the
Chesapeake Bay. is the vulnerable
point on the North and Middle Atlantic
coast. 1t is believed that the strategy
plans for invasion Of this country have
ben drawn up by certainly one power
and includes a direct drive at the Ches-
apeake Bay and the rapid isolation OF
the region between this point and the
Great Lakes the entire northeast in
which centers the wealth Of the coun-
try and where are located it's muni-
tons factories.
The importance, therefore. Of a mod
ern highway for the quick dispatch of
troops and supplies is something that
appeals to the reason and fmagination>
alike. Through the construction of
this highway Washington, Baltimore and
Annapolis would be assured the ele-
ments Of protection that are otherwise
lacking. 1t is important to note that
troops from the West arriving ut Wash
ington would be enabled to pass thence
toAnnapolis with quick dispatch Sure
~ the Maryland community is not to be
subjected to the conditions tina, pre-
vailed at the outbreak Of the War Of
1912 when the Maryland Assembly was
vainly inploring the general govern
ment for the measure of protection
that the strategic location of Baltimore
and the Importance Of its environs de-
mauded. This State was then forward
with provision for its own protection,
as well as for the general welfare But
it experienced great difficulty in Sc
curing response from the general gov
eminent
Hence the measure of preparedness
that would obviate another sack of
Washington. another endeavor to bonn
bard Baltimore. and another occupa-
ton of the shore of the Chesapeake
The proposed road would not accom-
plish all this, but ii would relatively
minimize the danger With suitable
defenses at the mouth of the Chesa-
peake. which must be part of the
preparedness program if this program
is TO have real coast defense merit. and
with the proposed highway and the
inner waterways constructed. the vital
region of the Middle Atlantic region
south of New York would be made mi
pervious to assault.
Hence the proposed roadway is not
an isolated proposition, but is co-ordi-
mated with series Of effective federal
measures in prosecution, or to be in
prosecution shortly, whereby the cap
ital of the nation, the metropolis of the
South, the capital of Maryland aud the
entire Chesapeake region will be assur-
ed of adequate protection. At the same
time the facilitation of the dispatch OF
troops and supplise would be of meal
culable general advantage.
It is certainly to be hoped that the
shall see the part that ii
may take in the general plan of de-
tense and that it will have the local
pride and patriotic vision to undertake
the construction of this roadway and
thus to give to the State the kind of
boulevard il should have as connection
with Washington and at the same time
render to the State and the nation a
service that may prove of inestimable
Importance.
Another elubwoman has declared that |
The women of this country must aban-
don their willingness to follow ex-
.remes in fashion. Maybe she is right |
about it and maybe the folks who i'm |