Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-07
MOTORISTS SCORE
FAULTY CONDITION
Of MAIN D. c. ROADS
Find Thoroughfares Leading
to Maryland Unrepaired
and Dangerous.

are DeiHk OH Hi
sides regarding the atrocious condi-
tion of the main streets and roads
leading from the District to the
Maryland state line. Motorists are at
loss to understand the cause for the
delay, with over two months OF
workable weather gone by. in either
repairing or resurfacinE these ar
teries of traffic.
Perhaps the most fragrant examples
of the Districts neglect Of it's much
of the Districts neglect of it's much
travelled roads is Connecticut ave-
nue. from the Connecticut avenue
bridge to the Chevy Chase Circle, ex-
cept for small stretch of asphalt
between Cathedral avenue and the
bureau of standards. and the Blad-
ensburg road from 18th and III streets
northeast to the Maryland line.
The run out Connecticut avenue to
Chevy Chase Circle is now accom-
plished at the risk of broken
spring or axle, or both. Holes of un-
become larger and larger. through
lack of attention. until the unwary
motorist is almost sure to encounter
trouble on run which is for tho
most part through highly develop
ed section of the District.
Motorists in trying to avoid this
particular stretch of road, and ar
rive at Chevy Chase Circle, frequent
ly take the route through Rock
Creek Park. but conditions there
is a toss-up which road to take,
The Bladensburg road. which is the
most direct route to Hyattsville ana
Baltimore. compares favorably with
deterioration. Deep ruts. ribbed
stretches. and chuck holes feature
this highway. 1t causes the motorist
to wonder whether or not he Will ar
ing a good part of his vehicle shaken
off and strewn along the roadside.
Ten Mile Speed Limit.
It is stated that it is impossible to
drive at a speed in excess of ten
miles an hour on this road.
Another thoroughfare which should
demand immediate attention is 18th
street northwest from kennedy street
to Alaska avenue, and the Maryland
line.
1t is stated to be now under partial
repair. This section OF 18th street.
which has only recently been cut
through. is in a very bad condition.
period of only seven months. and why
it should have given completely away,
after such short service, is question
mystifying to the motorists OF this
city.
are in the worst condition have been
filled up with large pieces Of stone.
with no f1attening process. Conse-
quently the stones being loose. auto
mobile wheels in passing over throw
them in every direction;
One motorist reports a broken head.
light glass and another smashed
in front of a radiator, the result OF
stones being thrown out from the
wheels of other automobiles.
These accidents. and the broken
fr,fo a
casualties Of the District motorfst when
he wished to take a short drive In the
limits of Washington.
other roads which are in urgent
need of repair are: Michigan avenue
from lst street northwest to Brook.
land and Langdon, and to its inter-
section with the Queens Chapel road;
Benning road, Pennsylvania avenue
southeast leading to the Upper Marl-
boro road. and Rhode Island avenue
northeast, a small portion OF wh1ch mas
only recently been paved.
Massachusetts avenue from s street
northwest to it's intersection with
Wisconsin avenue is also In bad shape
and likewise Wisconsin avenue out
through Tenleytown to the Maryland
line.
Night Driving Dangerous.
Another factor which adds to the
danger of motoring is the night drtv-
ing over these roads without sufncfene
light. The District regulations pro-
hibit the use Of headlights on streets
which are lighted. Now. as mat
ter Of fact. according to the majority
of motorists. it is almost criminally
reckless to attempt to traverse these
roads without the use of headlighto.
The illumination is not sufficient to
enable the motorist to pick out the
Guently at any minute he is liable to
drop into a hole. which would prob
ably seriously damage his car. the
greatest caution is necessary even In
the daytime. but conditions are hun
dred-fold worse at night without the
use Of the proper lights.
The streets and avenues committee
of the Washington Board OF Trade: L.
Janney Brown, chairman, has taken
cognizance of the condition OF these
for their immediate Improvement. The
committee states, after investigation,
that the roads are constructed OF
water-bound macadam. which is not
durable enough to support the large
amount of heavy traffic.
It's recommendation in this respect
follows:
urge upon Congress legislation pro-
highways of the District with those
of Maryland with a roadbed at least
as permanent and desirable In con-
struction as those with which they
connect
This condition is strongly rem
iniscent of the small country towns
passed through on tour. A beautiful
state road leads up to the town and
out of it, but in the town itself the
roads are kept in such bad condition
that driving faster than walk will
wreck the car.
1t appears now as il there was no
road out of the District over which
gree Of comfort and safety. It is a
condition that all agree should be
speedily rectified.