Evening star., 1948-01-04
Report 70 Lane Urges.
IS Million This Year
For Road Projects
By NE Asseeiatsd Press .

BALTIMORE, Jan. Sin its first
report to Gov. Lane. the State High
way Advisory Council today recon-
mended the expenditure Of $685.
757, ,044 on tie Improvement and ex-
pansion Of Maryland roadways in
1913.
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 100000, ,000 bond
issue already authorized by the gen.
eral assembly would make from
SITS ,000, 900 to $500, ,000, 900 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 q mandate to
bring the State roads system, now
inferior to other comparable States,
up to modern standards !" y"
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, ,000, 900 bond issue.
Mr.. Bruce reported the State
Roads Commission will have $25,-
100000 to $30,000,000 for 1948 ex-
penditures, which should carry it,
through at least next fall.
$4,000, 900 On Deposit.
He said the commission has $15,-
100000 in cash on deposit and about
the same amount would be realized
from increased taxes on gasoline
and motor vehicle titles.
The resurfacing of al miles OF
highway is expected to consume
$4,437.657 of the expenditure sug-
gested for the current year. BY far
the largest item in the 1948 program
is $l6,891 ,567 for primary routes.
Federal Aid Sought.
In discussing the enormous ex-
penditures" 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 q match
ing funds basis. s
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 q self-contained political unit
without any political tie-in with
the surrounding territory"
Baltimore, on the other hand, "as
an example of typical American
city," supplies "in excess of go per
cent of the total tax revenue to
the entire State of Maryland, and
a per cent Of the gasoline tax"
-. d. C. Gas Tax Cited.
Furthermore" the council con-
tinued. the congestion of Maryland
roads," is increased by the large
number Of persons Whe live in the
District 81 7Coiumbia butto. Ire en-
ployed in Federal installations in
Maryland. 4. '
The report also mentioned that
the District Of Columbia gasoline
tax Is one cent lower than Mary
fza1d's, anddsurmised 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 a Federal grant.
Only specific projects mentioned
were an airport road" at an esti-
mated cost of $4,500,000, 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
airfleld at Friendship
Church.