Milford chronicle., 1939-08-18

men of whom "a are available for
patrol duty. These "a men patrol
only 1.180 miles of hard surfaced
roads in the State, yet accidents
amount to 27.2 per 100000 population.
In Maryland only 80 men patrol
1000 miles of hard surfaced roads,
yet the accident rate is only 22.0 per
100000 the statement continued.
What we need is a proper super
intendency of our highways by a
competent superintendent of State
police, who will empty the police
stations and put the State troopers
on the highways to curb the reck-
less driver before it is too late" Mr..
Benson said.
He declared that in 1886 with So
men on the State police receiving an
average Of S9,640.13 per month the
fatal accident rate was much lower
than il is now with a monthly ex-
penditure of S14,70O.
Says Laws Sufficient
Neither the motor vehicle COM
missioner nor the superintendent of
State police can sincerely and hon
estly blame the fatal traffic accidents
happening in this State. on the made
quacy of our motor vehicle laws
They must know. as the public
knows. that it isn't a question of
more laws. but the proper and eff
cient administration of the present
laws The various automobile asso-
Citations. the chambers of commerce.
the business men and thinking pub
lie are unalterably opposed to new
legislation. Why? Because facts |
have just stated are known to them
and they have no interest In assist
ing certain politicians in an attempt
to whitewash the delinquencies of
certain public officials.
THE time is not far distant when
politics will be divorced from the
Highway Department. When this is
accomplished. the State notice will
be properly supervised The high
ways will be properly patrolled and
a sincere attempt will be made to re-
duce the traffic hazards by action
within the present adequate laws.
81 say to you, therefore. that any
proposed legislation is unnecessary,
that it is a smoke screen to hide
the real cause of the many accidents,
that our present laws are adequate
and that any resolutions seeking the
introduction of the so-called safety
legislation should be defeated"
Governors Message
During Monday morning Governor
McMul1en sent a message to both
houses which. read by Secretary of
State Josiah Marvel. Jr.. asked the
legislators to forget partisan politics
and to pass urgent legislation.
He especially called attention to
the need of passing appropriations
to retain the CCC camps and to
take care of the needed building pro-
gram at the Edgewood Sanatorium
and the Ferris Industrial School.
The need of making the Della
ware unemployment compensation
laws conform with the recent amend
ments to the federal social security
act and of providing for additional
notaries public was also stressed.
Benson Replies
Later Mr. Benson replied to the
message.
THE Governor. in his character
lstic political manner has again seen
1T to point out the short comings of
the 107th General Assembly" he
said.
I'VE believe it would be more fit
ting and proper for him to clean his
own doorstep" Mr.. Benson contin-
Jed After attempting to barter.
trade and compromise. he and his
followers finally yielded and permit
ed to pass the worthy legislation
which the Republican members have
endeavored to pass in order that the
Tarious institutions of this State
,ould receive their necessary appro-
Driations. What made this same leg
station important now was as i'm
1ortant then. when we first conven-
ID and the minority with the help
If the executive. formed a bloc reek-
ng of partisan retaliation at the ex-
,ense of the people of this State.
I'VE are sorry for the Governor |
because we feel that his remarks !
ire i'll advised and in decidedly poor
aste. especially when he is COM
,elled by those surrounding him to
make political capital of needy and |
legislation"