The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-03-09
THE MARYLAND ROADSIDE BILL

AS a result of unsuccessful previ-
Gus endeavors to enact roadside pro-
tective legislation the General AS
sembly of 1943 created the Roadside
Council Numerous reasons were CIV
en- for the Legislatures failure here
tofore to pass roadside control bill.
The bills introduced were said to be
too drastic; the provisions were mis-
understood and were met with organ
tors, gasoline station operators, far
mers and others who felt they would
be adversely affected in the business
use of their property. Previous legis-
lation had sought to have the protec-
ton enacted under control of the
State Roads Commission. The State
Roads Commission, however, dis
claimed any interest in the bill and
advised the legislators that it did not
wish this responsibility in addition
to its other duties.
The 1913 Maryland General As
sembly recognized that new roads
and road Improvements would play
large part in postwar projects and
that it must now face the problem OF
protection for this investment OF
public funds. Accordingly the Legis-
lature set up the Maryland Roadside
Council consisting in membership OF
businesses and persons primarily
concerned with this type of improve
ment so that each could have his say
and present his problem and a bill
ing Roadside Control, yet with the
maximum protection to the indivi-
dual and private business.
The recommendations of the Mary
land Roadside Council are now pub
lished, and bill has been drawn
which seeks to answer the objections
urged to bills previously introduced
and at the same time protect the
public investment in Maryland's
highways. The proposed bill has met
with the approval of the Legislative
Council. A study of the Roadside bill
will, of course, be made by the indi-
vidual members of the Legislature as
each has many constituents inter
ested.
The new bill (Senate Bill No. 39)
provides for the creation of a new
State Commission consisting of three
members, one appointed by the Gov
'ernor to serve at his pleasure, one ap-
pointed by the State Roads Commits
sion's interests, and one appointed
by the State Planning Commission
to coordinate with the future work
to be done in State development.
The new commission would have
many safeguards against arbitrary
action on it's part. The director of the
Commission would be the Chairman
and he is subject to removal at the
pleasure of the Governor. Any per-
sons feeling aggrieved at the decision
of the Commission may appeal to the
local Board of County Commissioners
and get local ruling. If not then
satisfied, an appeal may be taken to
the local courts.
The present bill is somewhat SINH
lar to the existing law in Prince
Georges County applying to their
county roads. This bill is not retroac-
tive and applies only to main high
ways in the State.
The need for this legislation is ap-
parent to everyone who travels over
the Washington Boulevard and other
types of roads similarly cluttered up
with structural hazards. Maryland
must not permit it's future highways
to quickly deteriorate for lack Of
adequate roadside control. Every tax
payer has right to expect such pro-
lection. To set UP this State Commits
sion ready to do business after the
war is in step with proposals indica-
ting advanced thinking in State Gov
ernment