The Washington herald., 1922-09-10
ASKS CIVIC BODIES
TOFICHT FOR GOOD
ROADS in CAPITAL
M. o. Eldridge Points to
Deplorable Condition of
District Streets.

Every civic organization in
Washington should join in the fight
to prevent the Commissioners esti-
mates for roads and schools in the
District from being cut" declared
NJ. o. Eldridge, secretary OF the Dis
trict branch Of the American Auto
mobile Association yesterday.
THE streets and suburban roads
OF the District are in a deplorable
condition and serve every day to
disgrace the National Capital in the
eyes of visitors. I am not so well
acquainted with the school situa-
ton but from the reports submitted
by experts who understand school
needs. l believe that every dollar
asked in the Commissioners esti-
mates is needed for the school facil-
titles of the District"
Mr.. Eldridge. who Is director of
roads of the A. A. A. Good Roads
Board. a civil and highway engineer
of high standing and has been max
ing a careful study of the streets
of the District with a view to en-
listing support for their betterment.
"OtoFlsts f-uy S1fS,OSH.
Motorists of the District are en-
titled to better roads" said Mr..
Eldridge. We recognize that the
automobile owner should pay the
city's share for the upkeep and re-
pair of the streets. this being a basis
law of highway development. The
estimates of the Commissioners for
needed repairs to streets. alleys and
suburban roads for the fiscal year
of 1924 are l.i5O.OOO. During the
fiscal year of 1922. motorists of the
District paid into the Treasury a
total of s74S.6S4, as follows: Reg
istration. s345.2SO; drivers license
$4,000; personal property tax on
automobiles. s225.0OO; fines and fees,
sl43.4OI
AS the District pays under the
present arrangement 50 per cent OF
the city's expenses. this would en-
title the motorists of the District
to a fund of sl,250.O 900 for repairs on
streets and roads. as s74S.6Si is ap-
prcximately so per cent of this
amount There has been consider
able talk that the Comm iss ion ers
estimates of s1,15O,OOO for this work
would be considerably pared To
my mind this would be a crying
shame.
Holds Estimates Moderate.
The building of new roads. ac-
cCCding TO all highway economies,
should come out of general funds
and think that the Commissioners
estimate of s1,200,000 for this pur-
pose is extremely moderate. The in
creased taxation from a enhanced
property values resulting from
these new streets would soon offset
this expenditure.
Not only are the connecting
streets in a terrible state as a re-
suit of lack of repairs" continued
Mr.. Eldridge. but arteriaI high
ways leading into Washington from
other sections of the country are
in a state that beggars description.
Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Geor-
gia avenues. all main highways. are
a disgrace to any city the size of
Washington and more especially to
the Capital of the Nation.
Less Than zoo Miles Asphalt.
Reports for 1921 show that there
were 524.92 miles of streets in the
District and over 265 miles. or more
than half of these streets were all
waterbound macadam and gravel and
dirt roads which quickly show signs
Of wear under the heavy traffic con-
ditions of this city. Less than 200
miles of these roads are of asphalt
or concrete and much of it has been
allowed to deteriorate in a fashion
that makes a cobblestone road
smooth by comparison.
Congress must be impressed in
some manner with the fact that
Washington is the Capital City of
the United States and that every
citizen in every part of the country
is interested in having his or her
National Capital equal to that of
any in the world. The American
Automobile Association is preparing
to seek the cooperation of its more
than 200 affiliated automobile clubs
in bringing pressure to bear upon
Congress for more liberal treatment
of the National Capital.
Would Aid school Plans.
in the meantime there should be
some way of preventing the Budget
committee, of, which Maj. Gen. Loru
IS chairman, from making any re-
ductions in the appropriations for
streets until Congress has a chance
to pass on the figures submitted by
the District Commissioners in thejr
estimates for the coming year. This
applies just as pertinently to schools
as to streets and while the American
Automobile Association devotes its
efforts to the interests of motorists
1t will be glad to aid in any educa-
tional plans, because the A. A. A.
believes in the utmost possible edu-
cation for every future citizen of
this country.
I'VE believe and are sure that the
District Commissioners support this
belief, that the three men placed at
the head of the District government
know the needs Of this District bet