The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-10-05
CHANGES MADE In STATE
ROADS COMMISSION STAFF
Chaires and Thayer Go To Hag-
erstOwn-H. E. Rock Returns
Here AS Resident Engineer
POLITICS NOT INVOLVED

Changes in the personnel of the
State Roads Commission, which were
announced late last week, have eff
fected the county set-up in two in
stances.
G. Bates Chaires, resident engineer
for the Commission here for the past
three years, was promoted to the posi-
ton of maintenance engineer, with
offices in Hagerstown. Mr.. Chaires
will be in charge of maintenance in
four counties Garrett, Allegany,
Washington and Frederick and will
work under Leo T. Downey.
Ralph T. Thayer, who was senior
supervising foreman in Garrett coun-
ty, was transferred to Washington
county where he was promoted to the
position of resident engineer. Mr..
Thayer will also maintain offices in
Hagerstown and will move with his
family to that city.
Harold E. Rock, who was in charge
of the State roads here before Mr..
Charles appointment and who since
that time has remained in the employ
of the Roads Commission in various
capacities in Chestertown and Balti-
more, will return here as resident engi-
neer.
The changes were effective the first
of October and the Chaires and Thayer
families plan to move shortly to Hag.
erstown, while Mr. Rock and his fam
lily will return to their home in Oak
land in a short time. The Rock home
is now being occupied by F. A. Smouse
and family, who plan to move to the
Warwick apartments until their new
nome on Second street is completed.
Reorganization of the field person
mel Of the Roads Commission is being
effected chiefly because seven coun-
ties are taking over maintenance Of
their own roads, leaving surplus Of
Commission employees in those coun-
ties, according to Ezra B. Whitman,
roads chairman. In reply to rumors
that highway employee who were not
identified with the O'Conor faction Of
the Democratic party were slated for
removal, Mr.. Whitman said, "There
has been no political pressure brought
to bear on us"
One Of the features of the reorgani-
cation was the elimination of the job
of senior supervising foreman in the
counties. The more capable of these
foremen, Mr. Whitman said, were to
be transferred to other work subject
to approval of the Board of Public
Works and Harry c. Jones, State En-
ployment Commissioner. The remain
ing foremen will be let out.
Counties which expect to maintain
their own roads are Anne Arundel,
Baltimore, Hartford, Washington,
Frederick, Howard and Montgomery.
Two other counties, Prince Georges
and Cecil, were permitted by the Leg
islature also to maintain their own
roads, but they both asked the Com
mission to continue to care for their
roads.
Court decisions will determine
whether Carroll and Garrett counties
will be given the right to maintain
their own roads through the admin
istration of the Boards of County
Commissioners of the respective coun-
ties.
The Carroll County Commissioners
have set up the claim that the name
of their county was removed from the
measure authorizing certain counties
of the State to maintain their own
roads systems.
The Garrett county suit attacks the
Commissions Interpretation OF the
new law.