Milford chronicle., 1927-09-02
FAVORS BUILDING ROAD
ON EASTERN SIDE OF MILFORD
(communicated)

LeWeS, Delaware
August 26, 1927.
To the Editor of the Milford enron
icle, Milford, Delaware.
Dear Sir:
l have been very much interested
in reading the discussions that have
appeared in the Chronicle for the
past two or three weeks regarding
the proposed cutoff through the cas-
tern end of Milford which is design.
ed to link closer the new Rehobotl
road and the du POnt highway. ALLOW
me to say at the beginning that l am
heartily in favor of this project, ano
[ am VOicing the views of a large
number of people in this vicinity
1 have read the arguments which
have been pressed against the build
ing of this road and, if l must say
it, they all appear rather far-fetched
For instance, in the Chronicle of
I several weeks ago appeared the
statement that the proposed road
was the work of powerful Whining
ton interests and that the project
was being pushed through for their
sole benefit. OF course you realize
as we'll as 1, that you really have no
evidence to back up this statement,
that it is wholly product OF 1mag-
I ination and that it is propaganda OF
the most partisan sort. can point to
numerous people in this section OF
the county who are in favor OF the
cutoff but 1 would not designate
them as powerful interests, except
that their sentiments on the subject
are solidified. An appeal to the pres
sure of fancied powerful interests
makes interesting reading and
strikes a responsive note in the
minds of a good many people, Dut IN
this case the powerful interests
happens to be a myth, if you except
the voice of public opinion. 1 happen
to know that there is just as much
sentiment for the proposed piece OF
work south of Milford as there is
north of Milford. After all, imagi-
nary and fancied wrongs do not
make good arguments.
Another argument that has been
advanced against the construction OF
the cutoff is that it would hurt the
business of the town of Milford. Per.
sonally 1 fail to see the force OF this
argument.
The majority of through traffic
that goes down to the southeastern
section of Sussex County passes
through Milford; but how much of
this through traffic stops at Milford
and transacts business there? From
my observations and the observa-
tions of others who have inquired
into the subject 1 venture the opin-
ion that less than 20 do. I dare say
that the business of Milford would
suffer no serious loss through the
detection of such a small amount OF
business. On the other hand the pro-
posed road will pass through a COM
paratively undeveloped section OF
Milford. That means increased real
estate values, a more rapid develop
ment of that part of the town, the
opportunity for more business to de-
velop; good service stations (some-
thing which Milford needs badly,
garages, eating houses, etc. The loss,
if any, which would fall at one place
would be amply counterbalanced by
the gain at another place. Moreover
the people who are now accustomed
to use Milford as a market center, !
both buying and selling, will be in
no wise affected by the new cutoff; |
and it is upon those people that the
business men and women of Milford
must depend for the volume of their
business, rather than upon the trans
lent traffic which passes through the |
town. In my opinion, and in the opin-
ion of many others, Milford will not
suffer through the proposed cutoff,
on the other hand it will be the
gamer.
The proposed cutoff is designed to
facilitate the passing of through
traffic through Milford. And why
not? Although my home is in the
southern part of the State I was
compelled the last year to spend the
most of my time in the northern
part of the State, in the vicinity of
Wilmington. I was accustomed to
come home and return north every
weekend. I can truthfully say that
passing through Milford was the
hardest part of my trip. The traffic
and parking conditions on the street
between the two traffic lights are
abominable. More than once I have
seen cars and cars parked parallel to
The curb and in back of the cars
parked at an angle. More than once
[ have seen cars parked on the op-
posite side of the street in complete
defiance Of the "no parking" signs.
More than once I have seen only one
car able to traverse the length of the
street, going one way through the H
ane of parked cars. The street is
narrow enough as it is without being
'ncumbered by cars parking in the
middle of the street. I should think
hat the residents of Milford and the
people of Milford would be
Interested in seeing this congestion
and the new cutoff is de-
igned for this very purpose. If the |
of Milford are rs inter
sted in conserving their business as
hey claim to be they will seek an
arly remedy for this condition. Ev- =
ry town through which main ar
cry OF travel passes endeavors to
eep that thoroughfare as much op- h
n as possible. can safely say that
l1lford is the only exception, and =
ave travelled through a good many h
owns in the State. The truth is that
ne present route through Milford q
rom the du Pont Highway to the n
eW road going across to Nassau is
OF adapted to the volume of traffic 8
nat passes over it. Hence the pro-
osed cutoff. III
Being a State enterprise, the ex- IS
enSe of the clIt-Off will not no horne lk