Evening star., 1935-04-12
WORK RELIEF FUND
TOREDUCE HAZARD.
Tydings Hopes Rockville
Crossing Will Be Among
First Abolished.
BY J. A. O'LEARY.


The grade crossing tragedy near
Rockville serves to call attention to the
opportunity which exists in the ad-
ministration's new workrelief appro-
priation to abolish these hazards
throughout the country.
As 1t became a law a few days
ago, it authorizes allotments for grade
crossing elimination out of the $780,
100000 earmarked for highway con-
struction and provides that whatever
sum the President designates to be
spent for this purpose shall be appor-
toned to the States and the District
of Columbia according to a definite
formula.
Senator Tydings, Democrat, OF
Maryland, commenting today on the
accident near Rockville, expressed
hope that that crossing would be one
OF those eliminated in the forth
coming program.
II am deeply shocked at this ter
rible accident" Senator Tydings said
II feel great sympathy for the parents
of those who were killed and injured.
MANY of them are my friends. That
crossing is one that l hope will soon
be eliminated"
Hayden Formula Given.
The apportionment formula was
written into the law on motion of
Senator Hayden. Democrat, of Ari-
zona. 1t reads as follows:
THAT any amounts allocated from
the appropriation made herein for the
elimination of existing hazards to life
at railroad grade crossings. includ-
ing the separation of protection OF
grades at crossings. the reconstruc-
ton of existing railroad grade crossing
structures. and the RELOCATION of high
ways to eliminate grade crossings,
shall be apportioned by the Secre-
tary of Agriculture to the several
States dncluding the Territory OF
Hawaii and the District Of Co.
lumbia), one-half on population
as shown by the last oecennial CEN
sus. one fourth on the mileage of the
Federal-aid highway system as de-
termined by the Secretary of Agri-
culture and one-fourth on the rail-
road mileage as determined by the
Interstate Commerce Commission
.; but not part of the funds
apportioned to any State or Territory
under this Joint resolution for public
highways and grade crossings need
be matched by the State or Terri
tory. ."
Available Sum in Doubt.
Until the administration perfects
its work-relief program it will not be
known definitely how much of the
800.000.000 authorization will be
made available for grade crossing
work.
Senator Hayden. however. gave the
Senate sample figures few days ago,
showing how much each jurisdiction
would be entitled to expend for grade
crossing work on the basis of total
Of $l00,000,000.
This table showed Maryland would
be entitled to S1070,000. Virginia
would be entitled to 81 939 900 and the
District of Columbia. s20l ,000 These
allotments would be proportionately
higher If the President sets aside
larger total.
Avenue Plan in Conference.
The 1886 District appropriation bill,
now awaiting action of the conferees,
contains 100000, under the gasoline
tax fund, to begin construction of
bridge or viaduct to eliminate the
Michigan avenue grade crossing in
Brookland.
This item was approved in both
House and Senate
The ultimate cost of the Michigan
avenue project is estimated at S450,-
600. the balance to be obtained later.
The bill provides that half the cost
be borne by the railroad company.
There is also in the supply bill
Senate amendment for 100000 from
the gas tax fund to extend Franklin
street northeast across the railroad
tracks by building bridge or viaduct.
This item goes to conference for final
decision The location of this pro-
posed bridge is near the Crosby Noyes
School.