Evening star., 1919-04-15
WOULD MAKE FREE
UP-R|vER BRIDGES
Three Leading From Mary
land Into West Virginia
Under Consideration.
JOINT COMMITTEE TO ACT

The Maryland state roads commission.
upon completing certain improved roads
to the West Virginia state line. ran up
against the fact that toll bridge con-
nected each one of them with West Eir
ginia, and also that in each case the
West Virginia end was in West Virginia
and taxed by il. so that it was evident
that Maryland could not buy the bridges
without the cooperation of West Nlr-
ginia.
When the general assembly of Mary
land convened in 1918 resolution was
passed providing for the appointment of
a joint committee by the senate and
house Of delegates of Maryland to con-
fer with a like committee to be appoint
as to the feasibility. method and cost
of acquiring or taking over any bridges
connecting the two states
When the West Virginia legislature
assembled in January. 1919. this resolu-
ton was sent to the governor of the
state. who communicated it to the legis-
1ature in message, asking that West
Virginia take similar action. The reso-
luton was passed and the committees
named by the presiding officers.
Maryland Committee Named.
The Maryland committee also has
been appointed and at some convenient
llilC SOOU tue lWO COiliIHlttccS Will meet
and go into the question of acquiring
the bridges.
These committees will report their de-
cisions back to the first future meeting
Of their respective legislatures
II public opinion is not favorable to
this project the committee may decide
that il is not worth while, and report
adversely. The bridges to be considered
are at Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown,
Williamsport and Hancock.
Tho hr;1 oh = Hr
only toll between Washington and
Staunton, Va, except about two gates
near Berryville. and this road is inn
proved practically the entire distance.
The road crossing the Shepherdstown
bridge connects the national highway at
Boonsboro with the Valley pike at Hail.
town.
The williamsport bridge is the link on
the pike from Hagerstown to Martins
burg, and the Hancock bridge connects
Hancock with Berkeley Springs.
All Beautiful Drives.
All of these roads are beautiful drives
and are close to Washington. They are
one-day trips. and Washington motor
lists can find no lovelier spins within
reach of the city. More Washington peo-
pie use the Harpers Ferry bridge than
from any other city, and they should
be extremely interested in having free
bridge there as we'll as at the other
points. If the Potomac river bride there
were made free it would not be long
before the Shenandoah bridge just ad-
Joining also would fall in line, and it is
only a matter Of a short time until there
will be an improved road from Washing
ton to Harpers Ferry, through Loudon
county, Va.
Personnel of Committees.
The committees appointed by the
legislatures are as follows
Maryland - Senate. ]. R. Stifer.
Belair: W. j. Mitchell. La Plata;
George L. Eppler, Cumberland House.
Ed NJ Terry. Washington county:
Leonk Yourtee. Washington county;
H. H Robinson. Allegheny county;
John H. Stearer, Allegheny county;
E. NJ Werner, Garrett county.
West Virginia-Senate, Milton Burr,
Bardane, w. Va: George B. Harman,
Maysville: Edgar B. Stewart, Morgan
town. House. D., E. Cuppett. Thomas,
W. Va; Roy c. Grove, Martinsburg;
j. s. Kuykendoll. Romney; NJ o.
Rouss, Kabletown: Leroy Shaw, King
wood.