Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-03
NEW Department TO
TAKE over ROADS
Proposed State Highway
Board Would Relieve
Counties of Road
Maintenance
BORROWING POWER
LIMITED BY INCOME

Probably the most representative
gathering of Delaawreans ever as
sembled in connection with any pub
lie project was held In the rose room
Of the Hotel DUPONT yesterday after
noon, when business men profess
sonal men, financial experts, NUM-
oipal, county and State officials met
TO consider the provisions OF the pro-
posed bills which have for their OBJ
ject the creation Of a State Highway
Department, and the transfer of the
construction. maintenance OF good
roads throughout the State to its
jurisdiction and control.
Henry p. Scott presided at the
meeting at which the bills were pre-
scented by Josiah Marvel and Armon
d. Chaytor, Jr., who drew them at
the request OF number of prominent
citizens who we're interested in the
application OF strictly scientific busi-
ness methods to the development Of
the good road system OF the State.
The object OF the meeting was briefly
explained by Mr. Scott. after which
the bills were read. section by Sec
ton. by the attorneys. who explained
the operations OF their provisions as
they proceeded Those in attendance
we're deeply interested, and followed
with close attention the varlOus pro-
visions of the proposed acts. A
luncheon followed this portion OF the
meeting, and during its progress
there was a general discussion OF the
bills, and one or two amendments
which were suggested were directed
to be incorporated in them.
Mr. Scott read a communication
which he had received from Harlan
G. Scott, inclosing a clipping from a
scientific paper, relative 10 the ef-
fects upon improved highways OF the
operation OF heavily loaded motor
trucks, which contained the results
OF an investigation made under the
auspices OF that publication TO ascer-
tain the percentage OF damage done
by heavy trucks which we're not
equipped with. treads and tires OF
width proportionate TO their weight
In this connection. Mr.. Scott stated
that the proposed new motor vehicle
license act, which IL 10 be introduced
at the General Assembly in connec-
ton with the State Highway Depart
ment bill. would provide that no H.
cense should be issued for operation
on the highways OF this State Of any
motor truck OF higher gross
weight than thirteen tons.
w. q. Valiant OF Seaford, chair
man OF the new three-commissionel
Levy Court Of Sussex county, endors
ed this view, and stated that ther'
should be a provision which wOuli
require the limit OF weight to be II
proportion to the width OF the tires
as his experience had been that II wa
tho heavy truck with the relativel.
small tire width which created tn
most damage TO the roads He SAT-
that n the weight was properly ad
iusted in proportion 10 the squarl
inches OF tire surface tread. one o
the greatest factors in the destruc
ton OF improved roads would b
eliminated, with a consequent pro
portionate reduction OF road main
tenance expense.
There was much individual dis
cussion az tho various tables. regard
ing the provision OF the proposed
measures, and this led former Gov
ernor Charles r. Miller TO sugges
that. in order that those presen
might not carry away with them err
roneous Impressions Of the operation
OF the proposed acts. the discussion
be I'm the form OF questions addressed
to the chair, and answered by thos,
who had studied the bills from ever,
viewpoint. and who could inform
tons raised IN the minds OF the in