The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-03-18
COMMENDS THE
PERCY ROAD PLAN
The William A. Percy Road Plan is
An Excellent One, and Certainly
Be Given Il Fair Trial

Vienna, Md. March Is, 1921
Dear Mr.. Editor
l. Just at time when the
county is bankrupt; when the County
Commissioners and the Public are in
a deadlock on the question of roads
Engineer: with most of the roads
gone to He'll and the remainder rap
idly following in the same direction,
we should welcome the well thought
out solution offered by Mr.. William
A. Percy of Vienna, TO the County
Commissioners, and which | am told
they are willing TO try.
2. An especially good feature OF
the Percy plan is; that it affords a
conciliatory link between those III
favor of an Engineer, and those VINO
do not think one is necessary. While
not denying the advantage OF train
ed roadS-building engineer. 1t affords
the opportunity to every citizen, 10
show by his spirit of cooperation
and personal interest in the building
and upkeep of the County roads that
they can be handled without an En-
gineer, while on the other hand, II
his plan fails, through our failure to
cooperate with, and stand by his
plan, then let us turn the roads over
to an engineer, and let the public and
especially the "objectOrs' forever
hold their peace.
3. Mr.. Percy is an experienced
road builder: he has nothing to gain
except the pride Of offering a solu-
ton to a very serious problem. and
his only reward will be the respect
and gratitude of a large community
which is anxiously hoping for relief.
Of all men in the community he,
perhaps could best afford to let the
roads take care of themselves. HIS
farms. shipping point, railroad sta
ton, schools and church are on i'm
proved highways. and he has, by his
unselfish interest in this matter pro
ven a friend to us in our pressing
needs.
4. The plan of Mr.. Percy, as
briefly outlined is as follows: Let
each road be divided into short sec
tions or parcels, each parcel to be
cared for by designated persons llv-
ing in that section or parcel. No one
is expected to work free or give any
thing for nothing. 1t is not beg
ging affair, even though the County
is "busted' 1t is a system where
personal pride, promptness, consc1-
entiousness, and good judgment will
count.
5. There will be a feeling of per
onal ownership in the roads, where
constructive criticism will be well
coined, and accomplished improve
ments will be appreciated, while now
we all feel that the roads are some
oh, q
and are continually investing our
money, and yet we have no author
ity or voice in their management.
6. The system at present is no
system at all and it's only results are
to make honest men dishonest; ell
cient men, inefficient; to create dis
trust and hatred between those gov
erned and those who govern us; and
with present traffic conditions cause
a steady outpouring of the county's
resources, without material improve
ment- of the -highMays that must rs
ury, as well as those who must toll
to refill it.
Z. At first glance it would seem
that Mr.. Percy was especially .fortu-
nate in attaining the cooperation OF
the splendid men named in his pro-
position, who live along the roads
referred to, and whom we all know
to be High-Standard fellows, but a
pleasure equally as great, is the fact
that on every road to be coverted in
this system. there is large number
of Just such intelligent, big-hearted
horse-SenSe men.
8. Let US get to work on the plan
at once. When the little crowds
meet at the store, lets smile about
the Good Roads, instead of cursing
about the Bad Roads, as we have
been doing all these years.
9. Let US thoroughly try out Mr..
Percy's proposition, and as we go
about our business on Good Roads,
winter and summer, bow and take off
our hats to him, and to the Fine
Fellows Who Keep Them Good.
Very Respectfully,
DIR. EDWARD E. LAMK1N.