The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-03-19
Demands State Roads
Chairman Resign
Maryland Legislator Says DIR.
Tabler Should Quit
Or Be Fired

A demand for the resignation Of
dismissal of that arch county poll
tican," DR.. Homer E. Tabler, from
the craftsmanship of the State Road.
Commission was made Saturday by
Delegate Kent r. Mullikln (Dem.,
Prince George's), majority floor lead
er of the House.
Delegate Mullikin said he took
such position with reluctance, but
that visit to Washington and con
terence with officials of the Federal
Bureau of Public Roads convinced
him that the State highway system
and its financing would not be in
such "muddle" if members OF the
commission gave more time to roads
and less time to politics"
Mr.. Mullikin, chairman Of the
House Ways and Means Committee
added that the roads system, in his
opinion, should be placed under the
supervision as head Of the commits
sion, Of Nathan l.. Smith, now chief
engineer.
/ AS the result of his conference in
Washington, he said he is certain the
Federal Government intends to stand
Dy it's decision to deprive Maryland
OF approximately $11,500,00O In
highway grants because of 1887 di-
versions from the States gasolins
and motor vehicle revenues and fur
cher diversion proposed in 1888
1889.
after conference with Mr..
Thomas H. Macdonald, chief of the
Federal Bureau of Public Roads,
Mr.. Mullikin said, Il am convinced
that Maryland will be penalized
about $55O,O0O per year for 1888
and 1899 on the basis of the present
budget in addition to the penalties o.
SS41, 662.66 which Mr.. Macdonald
mas already advised the State Roads
commission will be imposed for the
current year 1887.
These combined penalties of ap-
proximately $1,5OO,O0O constitute
another major problem OF the 1887
Assefably. Maryland's roads are in
such a deplorable condition that it is
unthinkable to allow the State to
suffer this slash in Federal assist
ance.
These deductions are mandatory
on the Bureau of Public Roads undo"
the terms of the HayGen-Cartwrlgh
Act of 1894. This act provides pen
alties Of one-third of all Federal
funds if the gasoline-tax diversion Is
increased over the total figure OF tina,
diversion as provided by law on Jun3
18, 1894.
"Mr. Macdonald was thoroughly
conversant with the Maryland road
situation and showed a genuine dis
position and willingness TO cooperate
in working out some solution to our
problem. He agreed that if Mary
land Legislature could adopt some
plan to restore substantially the di-
versions that the penalties for the
three years aggregating S1,500,000
would not be imposed.
II accuse the Nice administration
of supine inability either to compre-
bend or afford constructive leadership
in solving the State problems.
Il contend that the budget as sub
mitted by Governor Nice has never
been balanced and that in the face OF
this fact he and his budget advisers
have openly included practically eve
ry request made of them regardless oe
the condition Of the States finances.
"But as to roads-if the State
Roads Commissioners gave more
time to roads and less time to politics
we would not be in such a muddle
and there would be more chance OF
getting fair return for our taxpay-
ers' dollar.
II say it reluctantly, but with con-
viction, the best thing in the inter-
ests of Maryland roads would be for
that arch-county politician, DR.. Tab
Ter, to resign or be dismissed in order
that the capable, Woodworking chief
engineer, Nathan Smith, could be
placed at the head of the State
Roads Commission"