The Washington times., 1916-11-18
Retail Merchants Association
Appoints Special Committee
to Investigate Approaches.
THOROUGH INSPECTION MADE
Many Conditions Particularly
Dangerous to Vehicular
Traffic Revealed by Trip.

The Retail Merchants Association
this week appointed a special commit
tee to investigate the condition of the
dozen disreputable approaches which
link the District with the superb high
way system Of Maryland.
The members of this board of inspec-
ton are Stanley Horner. chairman:
John A. Hamilton, M. w. Sohn, How
ard 8. Fisk, and 8. 8. Grogan. Their
survey OF so called county roads was
conducted on the afternoon of the first
and disclosed the fact that the Dis
trfct's outer roads are in deplorable
state OF disrepair.
l. Walker Hill Inspected.
Balker Hill. which runs from the
district line to Good Hope, was the
first road on this program of inspec-
down approach. which is all sand and
dirt was DOGGY and sloppy.
Rutty holes and "thank-ye-maams"
pervade II and one end OF II makes a
sharp turn to the left. which. in sum
ner. when a thick arbor OF trees Is
heavy-clad in foliage. provides one or
country.
It is impossible to see the road ahead
and the branch is so sharp that. par
I
presents highly dangerous hazard.
This stretch Is an important one to
farmers and motorists. leading toward
Clinton, Silver Hill. Camp Springs, T.
B., La Plata, Charlotte Hall. Loveville
and Leonardtown.
Bowen Road Traced.
The Bowen road was then traced by
the committee. This stretch Is in fair
condition. though Of dirt construction.
II feeds directly into the Marlboro
up by the usual Maryland splendid
highway of macadam, extending into
Centerville and the Upper Marlboro
section. 1t links with the main State
highway at Lothian.
ed. particularly that portion turning
into the Maryland State road where
II meets with the Bowen road. The
road from Central avenue southeast
condition. 1t Is not merely an eye
sore. but II presents a trea cher ous
avenue OF travel that is thanked on
either side by bitches which drop off
spcerly from the table OF the road so
that IL two cars were to meet at night
from opposite directions, extreme
caution would be necessary to pre-
vent collision on the top of the road
right.
NOdu MENACE 10 IraHC.
Sandy gravel construction was the
scheme OF its building and II has be-
come a menace to vehicnlar traffic.
Indeed. the upward travel Is virtual
~ impossible for horse drawn We
htcles and even under most favorable
summer conditions is q severe tax on
q motor car.
Az Benning road near Central av-
enue broken rock was spread on
stretch Of perhaps seventy-five yards
and work was going on toward its
Improvement, a crusher and a steam
roller working on II when the party
avenue to Capital Heights the high
way is also In sad state. Muddy pools,
concealing ruts and holes abound in
ThN party then drove over to the
beginning OF the now most favored
approach to the Baltimore road. lead
Ing to, the left at 18th and II. This
stretch needs asphalting badly and
were improved and the trolley poles
removed-as seems will be there
would be a real highway leading out
Of Washington on this most impor-
farmer travel
The old Georgia avenue extension
10 the District line and Wisconsin
avenue also are In need of much i'm
provement.
Al Bradley lane and Connecticut ave-
nue there Is a dangerously located troll
ley pole which. planted in the center of
the road IL another menace like the one
which caused SO many accidents on the
road leading out from Fifteenth and II
streets.
Feeders Need Improvement.
The result of these findings may mean
theamuch mooted improvement OF these
feeders or approaches from Maryland. 1t
seems the least the Districts contribu-
ton of thanks could be to build con-
Meeting roads into the Capital OF the
United States that would at least be as
good as those Maryland has given.
70 be commended on this movement. Al
ways with the interest of Washington at
heart, this clan Of progressive business.
men, In taking up the matter OF road