Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-02-28

of dollars and has about completed its
highway system, most Of which was built
before truck had put in its appearance
l note that Secretary Redfield definitely
stated that Legislation restricting the size
of motor trucks is menace to the devel-
opment of highways transportation.
Again we find view expressed from only
one viewpoint of the truck. The
same argument is used by the truck own
ers, that is, that road should be built to
carry any weight of vehicle which may
appear to them to be advantageous to use.
This is unreasonable, for if it were possible
to replace all of the macadam roads now
built, at once, with the latest type of con-
struction, with the same percentage of
increase in weight in trucks in the next
three years as in the past three years, no
type of road known at the present time to
roadbuilders would stand the strain.
Mr. Graham gives some tables with time
and costs. and states that line now run
ming from Chicago to Baltimore has seen
railroad records eclipsed in the matter of
time. | am not going to argue with Mr..
Graham on the possibilities of a motor truck
competing with a railroad as to time, cost
or anything else between Chicago and Bal
timore. because Of the fact that to my
mind it is too absurd to consider. !, how
ever, do agree with him that the motor
truck is supplantine and will continue to
supplant the short-line railroads. The
field of the truck is not in competition with
the railroads, but is very necessary adj
junct, The sooneris this realized by every
one the better it will be.
Mr.. Graham asks the question "How far
trucks are responsible for the present dam
aged condition of the roads 7" For his in
formation might cite the Elkton-Balti-
more Washington Road, which has in the
past been maintained in good condition
and was the pride Of our State and the
admiration of every tourist who came into
Maryland. In the past year great num-
Der of trucks doing hauling for the Gov
eminent. as well as Government owned
trucks, used this road and to repair the
damage done by them will cost the State
of Maryland million dollars. and might
also add that the total revenue received
from truck licenses last year did not exceed
$4,000.
1t is gratifying to note that Mr.. Graham's
client is inclined to admit and expresses a
willingness to pay for the use of the roads,
but note that he suggests compromise.
There can be no compromise on PROPOSE
ton of this kind. You cannot compromise
fact. The truck should pay for the
damage il causes to the rOadbed 1t uses.
The Willingness of Mr.. Graham's client now
to even consider the proposition is crafty
ing to every highway department, for in
the past in our State he protested against
the charge of So per year. He again pro-
tested when the fees we're raised and it
was only recently that he showed will
insness to 90 into this matter in detail.
Mr.. Graham's recommendation that 800 |
pounds be permitted to the inch width Of
tire may be all right on certain types Of
roads, but our experience has shown that
no macadam road will stand that great a
weight When you consider that the sub
base, as well as the macadam, is rolled |
into place with roller having less than
400 pounds per inch of bearing surface on
the road, you can readily understand that |
this kind of construction will not long with
stand weight OF 500 pound per inch of
bearing surface on the road. which is dou-
BILE very often, due to the unevenness and
to the crown Of the road
After looking over the different cOnten-
tons of the highways departments and
thesoperators of trucks, the only differ |
ence seems to be in regard to the truck |
above three tons. My opinion is and ex-
perience has convinced me that no mac
adam road during the season of freezing |
and thawing which occurs sometimes as
often as twice week, will withstand a |
truck Of over three-ton capacity. making a |
gross weight of six TONS Experience has |
shown that these roads will carry a limited |
amount of truck traffic without much dam
age, but whenever the traffic becomes |
heavy-100 or 200 trucks per day or more |
the roads become overloaded and 60 to |
pieces. respectfully submit that, where |
roads have been built, the weight of traffic |
should be limited in order that the roads |
may be preserved and be gradually and |
economically built up so that future de-
mands as to weight may be met.
assure Mr.. Graham that his client is
welcome to the use Of our roads. We simply |
ask him to pay fair return for the dam
age he does, as well as to reduce his weight |
TO point in the use of our roads where |
he will be a messenger of service and not |
a destroyer Of highways.
As stated above, the only question seems
to be with trucks over three tons. Our
law now permits nothing over five tons and,
when loaded. q maximum speed Of IL |
miles per hour. If Mr.. Graham wishes to |
meet the requirements Of five-ton truck,
would suggest that he equip his three
ton truck with pneumatic tires, and the |
law will permit him to double his speed. |
With a three-tOn truck thus equipped. he |
will accomplish the same result as he
could with five-tOn truck and do 1t more
economically. without destroying the road
way, which roadway is absolutely neces
sary for the successful operation Of his
business. Should Mr.. Graham be success
full In having a law passed which will
permit his client to place a weight on our
roads greater than they can stand. he will
destroy them. as well as defeat the very
object he hopes to attain.