Evening star., 1948-01-04
Report TO Lane
Asks Million
For Highways
Council Recommends
Seeking U. S. Aid on
Some l948 Projects

BY the Assoeioisd Press

1f NV %ssoSfofeo FtSss
BALTIMORE, Jan. Sin its first
report to Gov. Lane, the State High
way Advisory Council today recom-
mended the expenditure of $685..
757,044 on the Improvement and ex-
pansion of Maryland roadways In
l948.
The proposed sum, which is more
than four times the average yearly
figure of the past decade, would be
surpassed next year by road pro-
grams totalling $48,240,800.
The report, signed by Howard
Bruce, council chairman, also urged
that Federal aid be sought for
projects near the District Of Co.
lumbia.
Big Sum Available.
Noting that $100,000,000 bond
issue already authorized by the gen.
eral assembly would make from
SITS, 5,00o, 900 to s200, 100000 available
for road construction and recon-
struction" within the next five years,
the council said the placing of this
large sum of money in the .
hands" of the State Roads Com
mission was mandate to
bring the State roads system, now
inferior to other comparable States,
up to modern standards ="
Mr.. Bruce said last night that
almost enough cash will be avail
able to pay for the recommended
$35, ,000. 900 program this year, and
thus leave untapped the authorized
$100, 100000 bond issue.
Mr.. Bruce reported the State
Roads Commission will have $25,-
000, 900 to $30,0O0,000 for 1913 ex-
penditures, which should carry 1t
through at least next fall.
$4,000, 900 On Deposit.
He said the commission has S15,-
000, 900 in cash on deposit and about
the same amount would be realized
from increased taxes on gasoline
and motor vehicle titles.
The resurfacing of 241 miles OF
highway Is expected to consume
81, ,437.65 of the expenditure sug-
gested for the current year. BY far
the largest item in the 1948 program
is $16,891 ,567 for primary routes.
The council pointed out that the
average sum of $7,200,000 annually
which Maryland spent on roads in
the past 10 years, would amount to
about $1o,000,000 or $1,000, 900 II
adjusted for rising costs.
Five Parts in Report.
| Raising the construction outlay
to yearly figures such as those con-
templated by the council amounts
to major undertaking" which the
report divides into five parts, in the
order in which they should be met
by the roads commission:
/. Reorganization of the commits
sion for the handling of increased
responsibilities The report added
that. this had been done and that
"in the upper strata" the body "is
fully competent to handle its imme-
diately increasing load"
2. Expansion of the commissions
surveying and planning stats, which
are called inadequate" for the in
creased duties.
3. The acquision of rights-of-way.
Question Of Contractors.
4. Consideration of the capacity
of contractors. The report COM
mented that from a price stand
point it is not advantageous to offer
work in greater volume than the
capacity of local contractors" and
added that the commission should
advertise some of the major prof.
ects in large sections so as to in
vite out-of-State contractors to
enter this market -"
S. A study of availability of mate
rials.
Regarding the rights of way prob
lem, the council said the roads CON-
mission is vigorously graphing
with it "and the attorney generals
Office Is being aggresivtly co-opera-
tive"
The report stated that "in fact,
everyone in any way responsible is
aware of the fact that acquisition of
rights of way must be greatly in
creased or the entire road program
will bog down at this point"
Federal Aid Sought.
In discussing the enormous ex-
lpenditures" required in that section
of Maryland adjacent to the District
OF Columbia. the council concluded
that the State is entitled to receive
Federal assistance by direct finan-
cial contribution" in addition to
the regular Federal aid on a match
ing funds basis.
maryland officials are to meet
with Federal Works Administra-
tor Fleming in Washington to-
morrow to discuss this problem.)
The report noted that Washing
ton is unique in the fact that there
is no other city in this country which
is a self-contained political unit
without any political tie-in with
the surrounding territory"
Baltimore, on the other hand, "as
an example of a typical American
city" supplies Gin excess of so per
cent of the total tax revenue to
the entire State of Maryland, and
AZ per cent of the gasoline tax"
ID. C. Gas Tax Cited.
Furthermore, the council con-
tinued. the congestion of Maryland
roads," is increased by the large
number of persons who live in the
District Of Columbia but are en-
ployed in Federal installations in
Maryland.
i The report also mentioned that
the District of Columbia gasoline
tax is one cent lower than Mary
lands, and surmised that Washing
ton "proportionately is selling a
greater percentage Of gasoline in
relation to the surrounding territory
than Baltimore"
In view of these considerations,
the council said, Maryland feels
that the circumstances In this area"
warrant Federal grant.
Only specific projects mentioned
were an airport road" at an esti-
mated cost of s4,500, 600, and the
reconstruction of the York road.
The airport road was identified by
a spokesman as the proposed dual
lane from Baltimore to the new