Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-01-11

that the maintenance of our State roads
already built should be continued. but in
in my opinion, the State during the dura-
ton Of the war, at least for the next two
years, ought not to 60 further in new road
work.
! would favor the appropriation Of $780,
900 for State-aid roads as now appro-
priated, or if our revenues can stand it. an
increase. making the whole not to exceed
100000. to be paid out of the general
treasury as now
LARGE Moron TRUCKS.
But despite all we can do, am con-
WINGED that our State roads. especially
some Of them, cannot be maintained at
any cost within our reach If the large
motor trucks, which are becoming much
more numerous and nearly as large as
steam cars. are permitted to use our State
roads without greater restrictions and
severer penalties being imposed. 1t is
practically impossible to license these
trucks at any price that would pay one
hundredth of the damage of which they
do, and it seems to be absolutely neces-
sary for greater restrictions or some Of our
State roads will soon be a thing of the
past.
1t is hardly necessary for me to call your
attention to the greater cost per mile Of
the maintenance Of the public roads. The
appropriation by the State at no time has
been sufficient to maintain our roads, and
every roads commission has encToached
upon the State road appropriation for the
upkeep or maintenance Of the roads built
and especially is this now true since the
last legislature placed the maintenance Of
the State aided roads under certain con-
ditions upon the STATE Roads Commission,
and failed to levy, as heretofore, one cent
per 500 for road maintenance, believing,
! presume. that the increase of the income
to the State from motor licenses would be
sufficient for the upkeep Of the State roads
The State road mileage is now 1900
miles, and the cost Of upkeep for mainte-
nance has been especially affected by war
conditions. Temporary assistance will have
to be provided. but hope soon that the
increase from motor licenses may take
care of the State road maintenance.
Moron VEHICLES.
Such will be the case If certain recon-
| mendation vvhfch IL rnada rs, tha Con,r,;.
sioner Of Motor Vehicles for changes in
existing laws and the increase in the reve-
nues from his department shall continue
at the present rate. as the Commissioner
OF motor Vehicles now, with confidence,
maintains will be the case. II the changes
suggested by the commissioner be enacted
into law. in his opinion, his department
will become self-supporting, and all reve-
nues from licenses without reduction will
be turned over to the State for road main
tenance
The commissioners estimate for 1918 is
$l,250,000 Of revenue. and for the year
1919 about 80 per centum increase, il
the present ratio should continue, but il
must be remembered that one-fifth of this
revenue under the present law is paid
over to Baltimore city.
OUTSTANDING CONTRACTS.
The Attorney Generals bill for notice
from State departments to the Comptroller
Of outstanding contracts to prevent rever-
sion of unexpended balances, and the bill
requiring State contractors to give bond
for the payment Of material or labor is
fully endorsed 1t has been the practice
Of the Board of Pubic Works for several
years to require such bond, but it is well
for such bond to be required by statute.
SOLDIERS VoTE
A bill providing for the voting of the
absent soldiers and sailors of our State
during the war was framed after thor
ough study by the Attorney General and
submitted to the extra session of the late
General Assembly. This measure meet.
my heartiest Endorsement, and have re-
quested the Attorney General to prepare
bill, and respectfully shall submit tn,
measure for your consideration.
CONTROLLERS OFFICE.
The bills recommended by the Comp
troller authorizing the States stationer,
to be procured by private contract wheI
the amount involved does not exceed $500
providing that bond for collecting Stat,
taxes shall have corporate securities, re
quiring the Insurance Department to &C
count quarterly. requiring clerks of tn,
county commissioners and of the Appea
Tax Court to return assessments to thu
Comptroller quarterly. receive my full in
dorsement
FIRE MARSHAL.
In the repeal of the law as to the STATE
fire marshal and the transfer of his dutie,
to the Insurance Commissioner, in my opin
ion, great mistake was made yielded
against my better judgment two years ago
| am now convinced that that legislation
was a mistake.
The Insurance Commissioner feels it wa.
a mistake. He has neither the time MOI
is It in the line or scope Of his duties.
COLLEGE Or AGRICULTURE.
Two years ago the Maryland Agriculture
College was taken over by the State and
the State College of Agriculture was incor.
porated. and the farming or agricultural
and allied interests of the State were in.
corporated under the State Board of Aeri.
culture. These measures were exactly as
recommended by all the allied farming OF
agricultural or horticultural interests of the