Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-05-15


Says Surprise Is Manifest That
Governor Has Not Named State
Roads Commission. But Ills Inter
est In Highways ~ Said To BE
Cause,
Much surprise has been manifested
over the fact that the Governor has
not re-appoinicd the present State
Road Commissioners or named new
me 20 take over the great amount of
work, and the expenditure OF the
millions. provided in the Road Bill.
passed by the recent General Assem-
.ly. In addition TO the great amount
)f work 20 lie done in the way OF
construction of new roads. is the
additional task OF spending the large
sums of money for maintenance of
he present roads. amounting 10 sew
eral hundred thousands OF dollars
every year
AS a reason for the Governors de-
lay. it is reported that his Exccllency
is quietly mquiring into the manage
ment and construction of the roads
y the present Commission during the
Dast four years. and. i'm fact, ever
since the present Head OF the Board
las teen connected with it, now eight
Years. for IL should be remembered
hat the incumbent Chairman was the
-ight-hand man OF Chairman Weller
Turing the administration OF Cover
i0r Goldsborough. II has been re-
lOrtcd that contracts have been given
,ut without competitive bids. from
Inc 10 time. and several contracts
rave been awarded TO the same Firm
Without any competition whatever.
lnd that additional compensation has
cen given TO contractors. additional
ime has often been given to favored
mes, and that no public notice has
yer been made of these facts Ger
ain contractors have also been favor
ii over others less favored; and all
n all. state Of affairs is said to ex-
81 which his Excellency believes
'hould be investigated before any ac-
ION is taken in regard TO the Com
mission.
Another and more cOgent reason is
iven for the removal of Mr.. Zouck
rom Ae Craftsmanship of the Com
Mission. and that in his close per-
oaal relations with, and obligations
0. Mr. Weller, the republican candi-
'ate for the United States Senate. 1t
will he remembered that Mr. Zouck
sas placed in the service of the Roads
Commission by Mr. Weller, in the frs
lace. and worked as Mr.. Weller's
ssistant for the four years OF the
republican administration of Cover
Tor Galdsborough Ii well also be
ememtered that Senator Smiths
riends were greatly annoyed and dis
USED. when Governor Harrington
laced Mr. zouck at the head of this
'oard, which has great power in all
ARTS of the State. and Yields no lit
lie political influence. It can easily
seen therefore that Mr.. Zouck's
e.ention is charge of the expenditure
f;his great sum of money. and the
irect and indirect employment of
hundreds Of men in all parts of the
State, might easily he used on elec-
ION day. SO as TO have a decisive ef- |
ect on the election of a United States |
,onator and who woald expect Mr., |
.0uek 60 so back on his old friend |
nd henefactor. Mr.. Weller. in behalf |
# a man to whom he is under no
- nj
,nything in his behalf. No one has !
yer accused Mr.. Zouck of being an
ngrate. and for him TO go back OF
ais early henefactor. Mr.. Weller. in |
ehalf Of Senator Smith. who has |
never aided him. would brand him as
such ef0re the whole State.
The democratic leaders arc begin
sing to show some signs Of activity |
preparation for the campaign this
ear. The State convention will meet |
lext week. and choose delegates to the
National Convention which will meet
II San Francisco the 2Sth OF June. Iii
loes not seem TO have been deter /
mined WHO viii be selected as dele /
sates. except that Governor Richie +
Will head the list The probabilities i
ire that among the other delegates
viii he Major Brooke Lee. Collector
Joshua W. Miles, and John J. Ma
lOn. The Republicans will also hold
heir State Convention next week.
Fhe probabilities are that Galen l..
Tait will head the delegates, and
hat Bladen Lowndes will be one of
the delegates at large. Mr.. Weller
will not attend the National Conven-
ion. and while ex-senator Jackson
will be there. it will he as member
81 the Republican National Commits
Tee. and not as a delegate.
senator John Walter Smith and his
closest friends are preparing TO start
up activities in the near future The
senator. despite his seventy odd
years. is stin full of vim and activity.