Milford chronicle., 1922-04-28
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT And
TRAFFIC POLICEMEN GUESTS
Of j. J. RaskOb at Hotel du Pont in Whining
Suggestions Made for Changes in Law.

entertained at dinner given at the
Hotel dupont last Friday evening, as
guests of John J Raskob, of Clay
mont, and they ended the dinner and
speech making about midnight. The
dinner was given primarily for the
men to meet each other and get ac-
quainted, but many valuable sugges-
tions were developed during the many
speeches made.
1t was shown that additional finan-
cial assistance will have to be pro-
vided by the legislature to carry out
the road building program as laid out
for Delaware.
Senator T. Coleman DUPONT, donor
of the highway from Wilmington to
the Maryland line, said that two years
hence he expected Delaware to have
the best road system of any State of
the Union.
John J. Raskob pointed out, in a
highly interesting analysis, that every
time the telephone rings an automO-
bile has travelled seven miles.
State Senator Wallace S. Handy,
who is head of the auto title and reg
istration division under Secretary of
State Benson, brought some good
news. Disclosing a keen knowledge
of mOtOr-car laws, Mr.. Handy told
of some proposed changes in the
present regulations, and said he was
working on a plan to abolish notary
fees, now required of auto owners,
after they had titled their cars, and
for the opening of State auto reg
istration Office in Wilmington. Mr..
Handy said the department realized
.Delawareans were required to pay
for too many afidavits for many pur-
poses.
There was a sentiment for aboli-
ton of speed limits for motor cars,
and for imposing heavy penalties for
reckless driving, the recklessness to
be determined by conditions.
In connection with the need of
more money to complete the road
building program, a tax on gasoline
was proposed by Senator Asa Ben
nett, of FrankfOrd, and also was faV-
ored by Senator Handy.
Henry M. Candy and Josiah Marvel
suggested a campaign of education to
have pedestrians on country roads
walk facing approaching traffic as a
safety first" precaution.
Thus summarized are a few of the
high lights of a mighty interesting
gathering of good-road advocates.
Out of the reunion and exchange of
ideas there is, no doubt, much good
will be realized.
Seated at the head of the table were
Secretary of State A. r. Benson, of Do
yer, Joseph E. Holland, of Milford, New
ton L. Grubb, of Brandywine hundred
and Francis " du Pont, of Wilmington,
members of the State Highway Commits
sion; c. Douglass Buck, State Highway
Engineer; Senator T. Coleman du Pont,
former member of the State Highway
Commission, and John ]. RaskOb. MEM
ber of the Citizens Highway Police
Others gathered about the tables We're
]. Paul Jones, secretary of the State
Highway Commission; Warren w. MOCK
Samuel knott, G. c. Reynolds. OF the
State Highway Department; Colonel Ed
mund Mitchell, Elmer Mitchell, Alexan-
William C. Corey, DR.. Harold L. SPRING
er, James /. BOyce, Henry M Canpy'
Josiah Marvel, Albert Bird, William =.
Foster, Judge Herbert L. Rice, Charles
c. B. Hallam, Harry J. Harkins, e. A.
Campbell, Arthur johnson and Walter
Hastings, ]. G. Woodward, of Whining
ton and vicinity; Herman Il. SGatf SGnifk OF of
Frankford, Senator Wallace S. Handy,
J. w. Wise, the Rev. R. c. Helfenstein,
William Ball of Dover, James 2; Rich
ardson of Little Creek; DR.. F. P. Ruhl,
Roy Pettyjohn, Henry A. Ryder, r.. =.
Clendaniel of Milford, Jacob Reynolds
w. M. Davis, John w. King OF Laurel
and Lieutenant Joseph McNey ana IraI-
nc officers Earl Cole, and Joseph Bona
facino.
Highway Engineer Buck was toast
MASTER and interspersed his introduction
of the various speakers with timely hI-
tie speeches.
Senator du Pont was the first speaker
called on. He told of his first experience /
as a roadbuilder when as a young engl-
neer he was called upon to get heavily
laden coaltruclis out of the mud near
mines.
1.-TWO years hence" he said, II expect
Delaware to have the best road system
IN the Union per square mile, per acre
and per population.
Senator du Pont divulged hitherto .
unannounced incident demonstrating the
high value placed upon DelaWare.s MOD
ern highways by the Federal Govern
ment He said after the war the govern
ments of France and England reahzed
their roads had not stood up unueI t4e 4e
strain of traffic, and they sent experts TO
this country to study American ROAD coh-
struction methods.
when those foreign representatives
called at the Good Roads Bureau OF thS
FedeFal GoyeTnment tbe1 af ere gTefer
red to the new Delaware roads as th9
most advanced type OF permanent roau
Pointing out the value of good Toaas
IS facilitating transit of farm products'
Senator du Pont said the railroads are
now devoting much study to the prop
EN- of good roads as affecting IrelshI
'ates.
IF the Legislature is iberal-not e%f
soon will have a system Oh
Delaware roads that will be OF lmmeas-
ira hIe benefit to agriculture as well as
,ther Industries" Senator du Pont con-
luded. He returned to Washington at y
'clock.
Senator du Pont said he favored aboli-
ion of speed limits, and advocated law
flowing reasonable speed and pen
iiziney careless or reckless driving.
John ]. Raskob was next called on and
resented an array of statistics showing
he progress of motor car construction
nd use of good roads.
Secretary OF State Benson, the next
peaker, addressed the assemDlage as {
Fellow highwaymen." He said it was
roposed to build sc miles OF new ROADS
bis wear of which Kent county VIII get
he Greater share. One of the reads to be ]
instructed is that from wilmington ~
he Christiana river front.
Secretary Benson, who is chairman OF
ne State Highway Commission, said ad- {
itional financial assistance VIII ne Heo
ssary from the next Legislature or
ighway building must cease at the 9
ose of this years construction program !
he State received S325, 600 from the teu-
raj government on condition tnaI II pe I
latched with a similar amount py th9
tate, Secretary Benson ssi"' Ai0 q
le following original poem: 9