The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-12-28
Ask Control Over Dirt
Highways
officials Also Approve Post.
poning OF Reassessment

The administration of county road
systems by the State Roads Commits
sion was assailed at meeting OF the
commissioners from sixteen of the
States twenty-three counties at
Annapolis on Thursday, thirteen
counties voting to Return the dirt
roads to the counties"
The subject was taken up by the
fifty-three commissioners, who as
sembled to draft a legislative pro-
gram to be submitted to the coming
session of the General Assembly.
Ridgley P. Melvin, Anne Arundel
county; ]. David Bale, Carroll;
Harry w. Legore, Frederick; SEED
man Prescott, Montgomery; Ernest
w. Miller, Washington; Wilmer Fell
Davis, Caroline, and John D. c. Dun
can. Baltimore county, all incoming
Senators and seventeen members Of
the new House of Delegates wer
present.
The commissioners appointed the
following four-point program:
Postponement of the Statewide re-
assessment of property scheduled
FAR 1919 to a date to be determin-
ed by a committee of twenty-three
members-one from each county
Re-enactment of the present emery
ency law, expiring on September
80. 1895, allowing " cent por-
ton of the four-cent State gaso-
Inc tax to be spent for the con-
struction and maintenance or
la.eral and county roads and
county road debt service sa per-
manent arrangement, with the
administration of the revenue to
be vested in the boards of county
commissioners instead of the State
Roads Commission.
The reversion of all fines and for
FIXTURES for violation of the motor
vehicle laws to the board OF
county commissioners of the
county where levied for the main
tenance of the county courts, in
stead of the motor vehicle COM
missioner.
The appointment of a full-time
assessor in each county by the
county commissioners, to be PAID
by and to be responsible to the
commissioners At present the as
SCISSOR is appointed and is respons-
ible to the State Tax Commission
but is paid by the county.
Income-Tax Plan Opposed
The commissioners also voted
down a proposal that committee be
appointed study the feasibility OF
a State income tax.
The counties split nine for, four
against and three not voting on the
proposal to postpone the reassess-
ment. Those voting for postpone
ment were Anne Arundel, Baltimore,
Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's,
Wieomico, Hartford and Talbot. Car
roll. Frederick, Washington and
Howard county were in favor OF the
reasss ssment. Allegany, Montgom-
cry and Prince Georges counties re-
teryed their vote.
Those opposing the reassessment
pointed out it would cost the coun-
ties sums ranging from $4,000 TO
100000; that the assessed valuation
would be lowered and that tax rates
would probably have to be raised.
Those in favor referred TO existing
inequalities, particularly in property
a;ong old roads, where values had
been raised, while those bordering
newer roads, had not been increased.
The thirteen counties that voted
fer the proposal to return the DIRT
roads 10 the counties "-the gasoline
tax measure Allegany, Anne
Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Car
roll, Cecil, Frederick. Queen Anne's,
Wicomico, Washington. Howard,
Hartford and Talbot.
Kent county was the lone unit
satisfied with State Roads Commits
sion control. Prince Georges and
Montgomery counties reserved their
votes
Ten counties voted fayorably for a
ar <s...~ accasoor annointod nv the
County Commissioners. Prin
Georges voted against the proposal;
Anne Arundel will have such an
arrangement under legislative &C.
passed at the last session. and Mont
gomery, washington and Howard
counties reserved their votes.