Evening journal., 1922-01-04

pleted.
There are at this time approx
imately 1Ss miles OF completed
highway for which the department
is responsible for maintenance. This
work is being carried on thoroughly
and efficiently TO the patrol system.
one engineer in each county is re-
sponsible for the maintenance work
In that particular county, and the
foreman Of the several patrols are
directly responsible to him.
Past experience has shown that
$3.50 per mile per year will care for
the upkeep Of our concrete roads
but this sum is insufficient to keep
our roads open during winter
months after heavy storms. 1t is
recommended throughout the coun-
try that the travelling public is en-
titled to the use Of improved roads
S65 days in the year, and it is de-
manding as much. Therefore. It
would seem proper and consist
ent in future budgets to set aside
a certain sum each year to provide
for the removal of snow.
( The personnel Of our paid police
/ force was reduced in August from 5
! to 4 members. The work accom-
/ plished by this unit OF our organiza-
/ ton has been most satisfactory. A
new sysem of records. covering the
/ activities of these men. was insti-
tuted during August. which shows at
I the close of the year accurate and
startling results obtained by so small
a force. The records for the last
quarter OF the year show that the
fines imposed upon those arrested
I by our police would, n refunded to
this department, nearly cover all ex-
penses incurred by this police force.
Because Of the limited number OF
uniformed police which the depart
ment could engage. your commission
devised the wide plan OF commits
sioning citizens. who serve without
pay, to assist in enforcing the traf-
fic laws, and at the close OF the year
1921 there are thirty members on
the force. Good results have been
obtained by our friends who have
volunteered to help us. and IL Is
hoped that a large majority may be
induced to serve during the coming
year.
Due to the constant increase In
all traffic. especially trucks. on the
Philadelphia pike. the overlooking
OF the latter demanded that ston
be made 10 this practice perore Sc
rious damage to this valuable road
resulted. To protect this highway
from these excessive loads, a set OF
20-ton Howe scales las just been
recently erected approximately one
mile north OF the limits OF the city
OF Wilmington, and 1t Is fully eX-
pected that after these have been In
use a month or more. there will b'
brought TO light evidence of flag
rant violations OF the State laws
limiting the loading OF trucks
For the similar protection OF
other highways l would recomment
the purchase Of two more loado
meters The loadmeter Is a port
able instrument which can be easil,
transported in an automobile. and
by which one man can accurately
determine the weight OF any vehicle
These should be used throughout the
State as occasion demands. ant
afford, for the present adequate pro
lection from overlooking.
"Since the Organization OF the De
partment Il has occupied withou
cost a large lot east Of the capito
on which a machine shop, a storage
room and a garage were erecte,
previous to this year. In September
1921. the erection Of a building 81
feet by 140 feet with Il bays wal
completed. In this building has
been stored the war surplus equip
ment which had been allotted to tn,
State. A very large part of this
equipment, principally trucks, is ir
excellent condition having been re-
Gently thoroughly inspected and re
paired before being housed.
Listed below are the roads rec
commended for future construction
referred to in the early part OF thi
report, and attached is char
showing the location OF these road
and the status Of the present Stat
Highway System realize. o
course. that with the funds avail
able in 1922, it will be impossible &
carry on a program OF construction
comprising even a large percentag
OF this mileage. but in view OF thei
importance. respectfully submi
them. and your choice OF these
a feel sure will govern our construc
ton program for 1922:-
For New Castle county-Chris
tiana avenue; State Road Crossing
Tybout's Corner to st. Georges; s
Georges TO Odessa: Armstrong
Corner to Smyrna; Summit Bridg
TO Tybout's Corner; Chrisuana {
! | Wilmington. via Newport and Stan
ton; Lancaster Pike to Pennsylvani
4 line; Hare s Corner to Christiana
y Centrevine TO Perry's Tavern; Me-
4 Castle to Newport to Cranston
4 Heights; Farhurst to Stoeckle
: Corner; Boyd's Corner TO Port Penn
o. Townsend to Caldwell; Pryor's Cor
ner to Deakynesville: Pixies Cree
- to Corner Ketch; State Road {
o. Glasgow; Foulk Road to Smith
r Bridge.
For Kent woodside [
e Cooper's Corner; Dover to Maryde
% FELTON, to Frederica Cheswold {
S Leipsic Milford to Harrington
81 Marydel TO Smyrna, via Kenton an
- Clayton; Rising Sun to Wyoming
r FELTON, to Whiteley'sburg; HarrinG
n ton to Burrswlle; Dover to Littl
Greek; Pearson's to Bartly; connect
$ ing dupont Road north and south.
= For Sussex county-Throug
p Laurel; through Seaford and Blades
a through Bridgeville; through Mills
. boro; Seaford to Reliance; Bridg,