Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-21
SEEK MORE HIGHWAY
POLICE IN GUARDING
ROADS OF DELAWARE
Lack of Money Causes Com
missioners to Depend on
Volunteers.
WANT PORT THOROUGHFARE

-
Increasing the paid police force for
the protection of highway travellers
from speed fiends. and the comn,a-
tlon Oh the approaches to the harbor
site on the Christiana river, were two
important questions that came before
the members of the Board of Highway
commissioners at a meeting at Dover
| today.
With the completion of the du Pom.
boulevard running the length of the
state, and the fact that motorists are
Deihg attracted to the highway more,
because of its being practically corn
pieted, has caused those who are
greedy TO break speed laws TO multi
ply throughout Delaware.
Reports from down state indicate
that, many serious accidents have
been narrowly averted and soma have
occurred, but few with fatal results
Ihe citizens who obey laws have been
aroused by the wilful violations OF
others. and for some time have been
demanding better protection for them
selves and families
The state police force garding hi.-h-
ways consists of four men. One is de-
tailed on the Philadelphia turnpike.
another on the Kennett turnpike. the
two great arteries of travel entering
this city, and the remaining two are
divided over stretch of territory en-
bracing 100 miles. In addition. the
Highway Commission has a citizens
volunteer police force of twenty.
These are appointed for a period of
three months. serve without pay. but
are given all the authority granted
regular paid highway police.
Reports made TO the Highway Com
missioners today. were that the vol
unteers have been doing splendid
work. They have made some arrests
of speed violators and have warned
many others. Because these volun-
teers are in citizens clothing, does not
give the speeder any inkling that in
whizzing by a man walking on the
highway, he may be passing a police
man.
1t is likely that an additional paid
policeman may be named today and
that other volunteer policemen will De
sought.
Josiah Marvel. member of the High
way Commission, said today, that the
commission aimed to protect the peo-
pie in every way from speeders. but
were handicapped because of lack of
funds. If we decide 10 name an ad- |
ditional paid policeman, it will be the
limit Of what we can do. We shall I
have 10 depend upon volunteers after 4
that" he said.
Want Highway to Port Completed. |
Members of the Board of Harbor 1
Commissioners went TO the State I
capital this morning. 10 discuss with !
the Highway Commissioners. the /
question of completing the approaches /
and highway to the harbor. Part of /
the work has been done, but there is I
remaining considerable grading, which |
Is being held up pending the arrang-
ing of finances with which to finish
the job.
Because Of the grading needed. the
Harbor Commissioners will not press
to have the work finished this year.
but they will seek TO obtain the con-
sent of the Highway Commissioners,
10 have the work completed by July l
next year, when the harbor according
to contract shall be finished.
The need for this is urgent the
Harbor Commissioners say, because
without proper roads leading TO the
port site local shippers would neither
bring goods here for export. or re-
oeive freight consigned to them, be-
cause of poor approaches. The High
way Commissioners have previously
consented to build the short stretch
eading 10 the port site, because ther
realized that il was not highway to
benefit Wilmington alone, but the
state as a whole. Shortage of funds
vas one Of the reasons that prevented
he highway being completed this
year. The Harbor Commissioners
'ealize the financial condition of the
board, but hope that the lat
er may be able by next spring TO
their financial burdens Ia
'uch way that the harbor outlet by
may be finished.