Milford chronicle., 1935-01-04
State Highway Department


The utilization Of a large part OF
the biennium income Of the State
Highway Department, based upon
recommendations previously made
cancellation of county highway
bonds, maintenance of the motor We
hicle department and acceptance Of
certificates OF indebtedness-will so
seriously affect the fiscal affairs OF
that Department that, meeting with
your approval, all new highway con-
structiOn will have to 6e discontin-
ued, unless resort be had TO the pol
icy Of borrowing on the credit Of the
State. This course would be COM
trary TO the ''pay-as-yOli-go policy
adopted some five or more years
ago.
As discouraging as this news will
be to many of our citizens. per-
sOnally am Of the opinion we should
recognize that the State Of Delaware
cannot continue, with its present in
come, to maintain it's high standard
Of civic life without mortgaging the
future or resOrting to increase Of
taxes. To avoid either or both of
these contingencies we should deny
ourselves those things it is believed
least essential to the welfare Of the
general public. In this category /
am Obliged to list new highways OF
the costly type because of the num-
ber of miles Of hard surfaced roads
in the State. The highway system
today contains 1889 miles of inn
proved roads. This Is equivalent to
1920 of the total mileage Of roads |
within the State and is far above the |
National average Of 6.13so for all |
states.
Regarding the management of the
cannot speak too
highly of its capable organization
as It does under the
able direction of the present Chief
Engineer. The high character of the
work il does is recognized by all /
who use the highways.
Six years ago the first contract
was let for the dual highway be-
.ween the capital and Wilmington.
md in October the last section OF
his 44-mile dual road was cOmplet-.I
I'd. 1t is said there Is not another
ligh speed motor road in the coun-
ry that compares with Il Ii length
md design. As proud as the State Is |
o possess this two.Ray boulevard, It
.annot be said to be completed until
t is beautifed with trees and shrubs
nd freed Of the many hideOus adj
ertising signs that ,detraet SO much
rom the natural charm Of the cOun-
ry along its entire length.
The Highway Police, en- adjunct Of
he Highway Department, have fur
her increased their popularity with
he general public through their nn-
liling courtesy and continued en-
ieney. The force; consisting now of
; men has grown TO- be an impor-
INT and dependable agency Of law
lforcement. AS the means of furs
lshing police protection for the
lral districts. 1t is generally rec
;nized that the service Is indispcn-
bile.
aefunding Of State Highway
Bonds
The existing condition Of money
tes and the high credit Of The
ate lead to the suggestion that In
rest can be saved BY refunding the
tstanding State Highway BONDS.
i authority granted under tho Act
ssed by the Delaware legislature
1917 q total of $13,0SQ.0OO has Oi
en- borrowed by the State for the IN
Of highways. The last Of
ne Of these bonds IN the sum Of G.
100000 was borrowed IN 1929. az
ice then It has been possible to be
luce materially this funded debt, Dt
that today there remains unpaid
y s2,7O5.000 Of the total amount ap
'rowed. However, the bonds that eli
still in the hands Of the public rel
paying interest at the rate Of 10 ge
q late quotation showed them. 10 wi
selling on q. considerable lower for
d basis. IN view Of the apparent
ortunity TO reflnanee this public / biy
Z at saving to the State, ] re- s7l
ctfully suggest that authority be at
IN the Sinking Fund Commits TN
ler to ask for bids on a refunding Z