Smyrna times., 1917-01-03
ALL ROADS UNDER STATE
CONTROL NOW TO Be URGED
BILLTOBE PRESENTED TO LEGlS-
LATURE TAKEITO OUT OF COURTS
Big Bond Issue TO be Redeemed by
Revenue From Auto Licenses and
Road Taxes-HighWaY REPAIRED

Dig DOnO ISSUE ~ OS hSNSS'SN ~
Revenue From Auto Licenses and
Road Taxes-HighwaY Repaired
In all probability a most radical
change in the road laws of Delaware
will be proposed in bill to come
before the next Legislature. Two
conferences of business men, mem
bers of the Delaware Automobile As
sociation and others interested In
Statewide improved highways have
been held in Wilmington to discuss
needed legislation. Governor Miller,
it was learned has been one OF the
conferees. The second conference OF
the good roads advocates was hello in
Wilmington last week.
The plan under consideration in
wolves the State taking over all public
roads in New Castle, Kent and Sussex
counties. This would remove all
Jurisdiction over highways from the
Levy Courts of the three counties,
and vest the supervision, control and
upkeep of the highways in the State.
Under the project now being con-
sidered the office of State Highway
Engineer would be created, with ar
assistant engineer for each county.
The Highway Department would be
conducted under the proposed law,
along bipartisan lines as far as possi
BILE to prevent it becoming an advant
ageous political factor for eithel
party.
1t is proposed after the county road
have been taken over by the State
to issue bonds sufficient to improv
the most important highways in tn
three counties. with the State hghw a.
first to be built of enduring material
and the most traversed roads radiat
ing from it also included in the com
prehensiv project.
1t is figured that with substantis
increases in automobile licenses an
changes in some other Tevenue-prc
ducing laws, the road bonds could b
paid off entirely within forty year
without imposing any great inaDcis
hardship upon the people of the State
One of the suggested changes,
connection with the proposed ne
highway law, is to increase material
the license fee for automobiles, ii
revenue to 60 into the State road ful
for the redemption of bonds
Another change necessary, und
the plan, would he for the thr
counties to turn over to the Sta
the money they now collect in tax
for road Improvements.
Taking over by the State of Il
New Castle county highways wou
involve a problem of reimbursing tt
county for the great sums it slrea
has expended in building mode
roads. New Castle county, in rou
figures. has spent nearly $1,000, o.
in the past ten years in building a
maintaining macadam highways I
over the county. This money "
borrowed, the bonds now being oI
standing. 1t would be necessary,
event of the State taking over
control of all roads, for the State
reimburse New Castle county
money it has expended in builGi
modern roads. or for the State to ts
over and guarantee payment of N
Castle county's road bonds. X
and Sussex counties have expen'
very little in building permanent hi
ways compared with New Gas
county, but the road-improvem
debts Of these counties also wo
have TO be assumed by the State,
is reasoned. The bill before the
Legislature for the construction c
modern State-length highway inclu
provision to reimburse New Ca
county the cost of all sections Of
improved roads to be included in
proposed State highway.
1t is expected that further con
ence will be held before a def
plan for State wide highway imprC
ment is decided upon and a bill
drawn to be presented to the Legi
ture. The conferees realize that
greater part of the revenue that W
have to be realized to make sucC
full such comprehensive plan "
come from residents of New C'
county.