Evening journal., 1923-01-01
URGES MANY
new ROADS
FOR STATE
Ccontlnu.l from FIrst Page.l

b N0NAANAAAhN a - tAR $50 a NrfNsf
less than in 1921. Bridges built by
the department in 1922 cost S14s.-
600, or S240O a mile, and culverts
cost $50, or $3.50 a mile. The
most notable bridge built In the
year was at Laurel. crossing Broad
Creek River, where a movable bridge
was required.
During the year rights OF way were
secured on approximately "a miles
J of construction at total cost OF
/ SS7.931.35 or on a basis of S1,265
cost per mile. with the exception
OF two contracts no highways were
designed for a right OF way less than
/ 60 feet in width.
In the year 74.4 miles of roads
we're actually completed, few miles
being of uncompleted work carried
over from 1921. The mileage built
in the year is 32.2 per cent. of the
total mileage built by the Depart
ment up to date. With % per cent.
of its years program finished, Del
aware leads all other States in per-
centage of work completed.
Because of the care exercised in
the award of contracts the Depart
ment did not have to call on a single
bondsman to finish the work of his
principal.
Discussing the salaries paid the
Chief Engineer remarks:
ANY Organization-instr In
one year with design and supervi-
sion of construction work costing ap-
proxlmately S2,4OO.OOO covering
&c miles. and responsible for the
care and upkeep of a system of high
ways, representing an investment Of
s l-2 million dollars-which can sat
isfactorily function. and cause this
work to be thoroughly and efficiently
performed. with a froce of so men
at an average salary OF S14S.13 per
month, will win l think, the con-
hdence of those sincerely interested
in the success OF the enterprise"
The Department within the year
made surveys. prepared plans and {
designs, and furnished engineering
supervision and inspection for work .
totaling $2.373,650, at a cost of I
or total overhead cost
of 8 n per cent. Figures furnished
by the Bureau OF Public Roads for
2S States In the Union places Della
wares cost for Engineering and Ad-
in ninth place, the costs
for tho % States varying from 3.55
per cent, to 12h per cent.
Delaware was allotted by the Fed
eral Government this year 1866. .625.
all of which has been taken up In
contract projects let during the year.
A bill passed by Congress in June
authorized S190.OOO,OOO for high
way construction in the next three
years. of which Delaware's share
will be s926.625. provided the State
raises an equal mount.
The State Highway System was
Inspected in 1922 by numerous par
les Of visiting engineers and Off
'ials, not only from other States but
rom other countries, including Can
ida. Scotland and New Zealand.
Without exception these visitors paid
nigh compliment to the foresight of
he department and the permanent
work it has done in laying out the
state System and securing adequate
lights of way before further en-
'roachments were made. the re-
noval of which would entail great
Expense in the future. This has be-
'ome a serious problem in many To-
'a,ities. The Department has an ex-
Imple OF this In connection with its
work on the Philadelphia Pike and
ays: Sooner or later this prob
an mill how. to ha . ]
'r county on the Lincoln Highway
'etween Wilmington and NJ lrshan-
on"
More rigid laws are urged restrict
ng the loads permitted on improved
highways.
ITO illustrate the lack Of ap-
probation by some OF the States
new roads" says the report. our scale
records for the year. of trucks
the Philadelphia Pike.
show instances where loads Of is
.ons were being transformed over
his road in January. month
when heavy loads are especially in
furious.
AT the close OF the year 1922,
our maintenance organization will
have under care 264 miles Of roads
and the average cost of the work
vii be slightly less than $3.50 per
mile"
Further. in the damage to roads
by heavy trucks, the report says:
''The enormo Gus increase in the
number and weight of motor trucks
using our highways has raised the
question as to whether the present
fees are at all proper
.ionate to the use Of and the dam
age done to the highways by these
freight carriers. II is especially
with repect TO those
operating as common carriers and
who use the highways throughout
he year
The consideration of a tax on
.asoline is also recommended"
other recommendation made by
chief Engineer Buck are as follows:
"As it appears possible to retire in
n years at los the 40-year bonds
heretofore issued for road con@truc-
ion il the annual sinking fund is
afely invested at 315 per cent. and
MS interest tNii ipouiiNtN W S4'i'i"A
.nnual investments at the same rate.
take the liberty TO suggest that
be given this impor-
ant possibility by the Sinking Fund
THE enormous traffic on the Phil
.delphia pike extending from the
hell OF theology. II
has been proven that criminals may
be turned into honorable citizens
when they are treated in the right