Milford chronicle., 1919-12-26
STATES new PLAN
WILL HELP TOURISTS
TBE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS PUTTING
lip ROUTE SIGNS ON TELEPHONE
POLES In DELAWARE.
IS BIG AID TO STRANGERS
chief ENGINEER UPHAM'S SCHEME IN
SURES TRAVELLERS KEEPING ON
The RIGHT ROAD.

Dover. Del, Dec Workers OF
fle state Highway Department were
. busv today on the DOver-Smyrna
stretch of highway in putting up route
marking signs on the telephone poles.
This work, unusual in Delaware, has
been agreed to by the Diamond State
Telephone Company, who are in thor
ougl accord in this scheme to make
sure Of the routing person may take
in going from place to place in this
state.
The system as worked out by Chief
Engineer Charles NJ. Upham, of the
State Highway Department, is novel
and yet one that will insure the per-
son travelling with sticking to the best
road that the State affords between
given places. Thus the odd numbers
are to indicate the north and south di-
rections, while the even numbers will
stand for the east and west As an
example, Route l will mean the road
from Wilmington to Selbyville through
Dover and Georgetown. Thus from
Georgetown to RehOboth the number
will be even, ?, 4 or 6. In that way.
therefore, in State of this size, the
drivers in short while will acquaint
themselves. with the numbers, and
furthermore, provision has been made
by which the proper numbers and di-
rection will be incorporated in the
Blue Book so that strangers to the
State will likewise have the use of Mr..
Upham's new system.
The markings on the poles are to
be white band and a black diamond,
after the insignia of this State, with
the number plainly and properly paint
ed A sign of that nature will appear
on every fifth or tenth post according
to the place and the way the road /
might turn. The telephone company
was so in favor of this move that they
told Mr. Upham that if it is necessary
TO paint over any of their signs al
ready up to go ahead as they would
be willing to remake their own signs.
One of the interesting items that
was given out at the office of the high
way department today refers to the
Pike and the recent snow
1t seems indeed that the department is
so anxious to keep its roads in excel
lent condition that the snow that fell
was cleared off the road much faster
than is the case with the sweeping off
Of the sidewalks by many a house
holder, even in the cities where there
Is fine if the clearance is not made.
Thus on the night of the snow, c.
=. Reynolds, the engineer in charge
If the Philadelphia Pike, saw that the
snowfall might be heavy, therefore he
prepared his paraphernalia and the
leXt day started on the work of clear
ng off the snow. When the snow stop
)ed falling at about o'clock p. m,
he work of removing the snow was
otally done. Mr.. Reynolds called up
ir. Upham on the telephone and told
lin of the great accomplishment of
he job. Thus, indeed, a pathway 2S
eet wide was made out of the five
nch snow, just about an hour after !
he flakes stopped falling. The de-
also had loads of cinders
eady at Penny Hill on the pike that
) used on days when snow or sleet is I
alling. These cinders have been used f
everal times this year, and the per-
ons driving horses are especially ap- a
reciative of the help that is given
leir animals in the drive up Penny s
ill.
This making of signs throughout \
lie State and the question of remOv-
g the snow so quickly from the en- {
re Philadelphia Pike are just small
7idences of the fitness of the State v
ighway Department for the work of
'ecting and keeping up the highways f
Delaware and is also demonstrates h
lat this State is in position and will /,
g to go ahead with every feature \
lat makes for better travel and the 4
est of roads. r