The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-04-25
TO MAINTAIN ROADS
Congressman Zihlman introduce
es Measure For Relief.

WASHINGTON. D. c., April 19-There
was Yesterday introduced in Congress
by Congressman Frederick N Zihlman,
of the Sixth Maryland District, a bill
providing for Governmental ASST stance
in the repair and maintenance of state
roads which may be designated military
roads by the Secretary of war on ac-
count of their extraordinary use by
heavy vehicles operated by or in the il
terest of the Government in wer work.
Mr. Zihlman's bill provides for an
appropriation of 1000, 600 for the
purpose of assisting to the extent of
not to exceed two-thirds of the cost of
repair and maintenance of such per-
manently improved roads as are desig-
mated military roads. 1t further pro-
vides that the Government shall not
contribute more than $1,000 per mile
per annum for the maintenance of any
particular mile of road.
This bill is of great interest and in
portance to the people of Maryland.
On account OF the close proximity of
Maryland to Washington, and in view
of the fact that one of the largest can
tonmetts and mobilization camps in the
country is located in Maryland, to say
nothing of the MANY plants and indus
tries furnishing war supplies, the roads
of that state are being badly cut by the
heavy trucks and vans.
Representative Zhlman's bill was re-
ferred TO the House Committee on
Roads. Similar bills are being urged
IN the Senate by Senators Smith ard
France. In introducing this bill Mr..
Zihlman had the following to say:
This bill is more than fair to the
Federal Government, inasmuch as
Maryland has already built the roads
| through the state at an expense of
about S24 900, 900; and under the pre-
sent conditions it wonld involve an ex-
penditure of not less than $40, 900, 900 to
duplicate them, and under the provi-
slons of this bill the State contributes
one-third of the cost of repair.
ut is not mandatory on the Secre-
tary of war to make any expenditure
until he is satisfied that the road in
question is being subjected to extraor-
binary use by heavy vehicles. Army
trucks and vans, operated by or in the
| interest of the United States, so as to
involve their deterioration and de-
struction in the absence of unusually
large appropriations and expenditures
for their maintenance and repair.
1T is further provided in the bill that
no part of the fund provided shall be
used for the improvement of any dirt,
sand, or any other ordinary road not
already permanently improved.
'Maryland's road system is second to
none in the nation, and in view of the
fact that one of the largest canton
ments and mobilization camps IN the
country is located IN our State and that
we have the great shlpbullding plants
and steel mills located on the Potapsco
river at Sparrows Point, a great over
sea depot at Curtis Creek, and that
more than forty-five army contracts
have been awarded in the State; our
road system has been godsend to the
Government.
! Because of the congestion on the
transportation lines it has been found
necessary to utilize the roads for the
hauling of supplies and equipment, and
we are entitled to aid for the State in
| the reconstruction and repair of these
! highways.
IF the roads are allowed to detero-
rate and go to pieces it will be found
impossible to utilize these highways
during the coming winter season, and
steps should at once be taken to put
| them in repair.
THE proposal that the Government
pay part of this cost is not a new one,
as we are now paying fifty per cent. of
| the cost of construction of some state
roads, under the assumption that we
are aiding in extending the post road
| system of the country.
Everyone has recognized that the
aid thus given has been limited in this
manner to circumvent the constitu-
tional provision relating to internal
improvements, and that the appropria-
tions thus made were the governmental
methods of aiding the states in carrying
burden which has become too heavy.
If this was necessary at peace times,
it is doubly necessary now.
Maryland roads are CARRYING a
greatly augmented traffic from every
state in the Union because of the war,
and the fact that Washington is the
| center of all war activities, which brings
thousands of automobiles over the high
ways, and we have certainly done our
p-rt in providing the initial eXpendi-
lures to build our splendid trunk line
and lateral road system. and l believe
there is sufficient sentiment in Congress
to provide for Governmental help in re-
storing these roads which are going to
pieces as result of this heavy traffic.
Maryland Takes A Leading Part.
Maryland has taken leading part in
the events that have made the past