Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-14
MARYLAND BRIDGES.
HELD DEATH TRAPS.
State Highway Commissioner
Appeals for SIS, 1000, 900
Bond Issue.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 14.-Mary-
lands State bridges are in a critically
dangerous" condition, with daily posi-
bility of a repetition of the Frederick
Junction disaster when three persons
were killed by the collapse of the span
across the Monocacy River, in the opin-
ion of Howard Bruce, member OF the
State Roads Commission.
The commissioner made the asser-
ton in appealing to the joint meeting
of the Senate Finance and House ways
and Means Committee for bond issues
of $4,000, 900 for road work during the
coming two years. He was accompanied
by G. Clinton Uhl, chairman OF the
commission and Harry F. Williar, jr.,
chief engineer.
Surveys Have Been Made.
A survey of all the State-owned
bridges had been made by the roads
body. with a decision to repair or re-
place more than 90 as a result, Bruce
said. This figure, through non-availa-
bility of funds, was reduced 70 rs, for
which S2,500,000 will be made avail
able. He asked total of $4,000,000 for
this work alone.
In addition Bruce appealed for ST.
OOO, 900 for each of the next two years
to Start widening a Baltimore-Philadel-
phia road to 40 feet, with the 1888 as
sembly to furnish the remainder of the
100000 necessary to complete the
plan.
In addition the commissioner asked
that a bond issue of 81, $50, 900 be passed
to match the Federal aid funds Tor the
next two years rather than meet 1t
from the gas tax as suggested by Gov
Richie.
None of these items have been pro-
vided for in the State budget or bond
issues with exception of one issue OF
So 900 900 for the bridge work, intro
duced as an administration measure
with backing of Gov. Richie.
The Executive, at the present time,
in his anxiety to maintain the State tax
rate at 25 cents, has frowned on any
State bond issues for road work Wal
ter N. Kirkman, State purchasing agent
and director Of the budget, said approx
mately 2 cents would be added to the
rate should the Bruce recommendations
be passed by the General Assembly.
Road Funds Lower.
Bruce said that there was less money
available for the Highway Department
for the coming year than at any time
IN MS experience. NO Work can De done
on Statewide road work with the pres
ent amount available, he declared
This came at time when the ma
tional and other State governments had
increased their road OUTLAWS in order to
alleviate present unemployment condi-
lions.
The road commissioner said that none
of the bridges contained in the list for
repair could be supervised, and added
that they were constantly overloaded.
Why, we break the law and violate
the capacity load injunction ourselves
every day." he declared I'VE couldn't
build roads if we did not. All our ma
chinery is too heavy for the spans.
1T isn't a nice thing to have to worry
all the time about whether or not one
Of the bridges over which you have con-
troll is going to collapse, entailing the
death of passengers, but that is the
condition of this commission.
Many of these structures are In a
critically dangerous condition. would
not be surprised at any time to hear of
repetition of the Frederick disaster,
where three persons were killed.