The Washington times., 1918-05-20
ASKS FEDERAL
AID TO REPAIR
WAGONROADS
IN MARYLAND
BY BILL PRICE

Governor Harrington. of Maryland,
feld a conference this afternoon with
President Wilson. regarding the bad
condition Of Maryland roads. upon
whihc large army trucks have been
frequently used. in an effort to OBJ
tain Federal aid for the repair Of
these important highways.
The President is personally familiar
with road conditions in Maryland.
one o fhis chief outdoor recreations
being automobile rides with Mrs.
Wilson. Because OF the formerly
superior roads in Maryland most OF
the rides are in that State.
Magnificent Highway Destroyed
The magnificent highway between
Washington and Baltimore was cut
to pieces during the past winter, and
its repair will cost SS50.OOO, it is
stated. inasmuch as a great part Of
sit will have to be practically recon
structed so that il viii stand the
strain o fheavy trucks. The traffic
over this road has been excessively
heavy since the war started and
camps were established at Camp
Meade and Laurel. The freezing and
thawinE Of winter. with the use OF
the large trucks, ground to powder
in many places the underlying stra-
tum Of broken rock.
Bewteen Baltimore and Ellton the
formerly splendid highway is also in
bad condition and its repair will cost
nearly as much as that Of the Wash
ington- Baltimore pike.
Army trucks are. Of course, NOT
wholly responsible for the bad condi-
tion OF many Maryland roads. The
use OF heavy private trucks has grown
immensely and there is now much
freight traffic for general business
between this city and Baltiomre. The
past winter was peculiarly devastat-
ing on macadam roads in all parts
Of the country where traffic was
heavy. In the District OF Columbia
the officials are confronted by roads
in the worst condition in history.
Connecticut avenue, which is now be-
ing repaired. is pitted with hundreds
OF bad holes. Nearly all other roads
are in need OF prompt repair.
Labor Scarcity flinders.
Both here and in Maryland the prob
lem is how to do It with the appro-
priations available owing OF the high
cost and scarcity Of labor, the diff
ficulty OF getting madacam supplies
over the congested railroads, scarcity
Of petroleum products, increased cost
Of freight transportation and other
questions.
Governor Harrington seeks Fed
Rre army. II this financial assistance
of repair OF roads that are used by
eral aid that viii rrof rate the cost
is not to be had inc Stsse roads COM
81 L Il
using prison labO- as much as pos
sible, Unless the dsmaged roads are
repaired quickly they will be made
fmpassable
There is no Federal appropriation
for this purpose. There is a large ap-
preparation for aid in good roads con-
Etruction, divided among the States
tha. meet the Federal money with
half OF their -ow. Maryland wants
to use her share Of this fund for
new roads.
PreSents Complex Problem.
The President has an uneXpended
balance OF his war emergency fund
OF 500. 900 900. but it is not thought
he would call upon this. In the event
that he used his influence for aid for
Maryland other states where army
camps and canronments are lQ-
Gated will come forward asking for
Federal aid in maintaining roads. It
is claimed. though, that the damage
10 roads in the South has not been
severe, owing to 3he absence of win
ter conditions that especially affect
Maryland and States to the North.
Road engineers in Maryland and all
other States are up against the Ques-
tiOn OF having to build heavier and
costlier roads to meet the increasing
truck tonnage. When first built the
roads were not subjected TO the
strain Of large trucks. either belong
ing TO the army or 10 privtae bust
ness Trucks are being made heavier
every day, and engineers do not know
Just where to stop in depth and
strength Of construction.
Heavy private trucks in Maryland
have, according to Governor Harring-
ton, destroyed light roads in all di-
rections. These vehicles pay for mo-
tor licenses. which goes TO the fund
that maintains roads, but they do not
pay in proportion to the damage they
DO, II is claimed. Army trucks pay no
automobile fees.