Evening star., 1952-11-13

Council Studies
Ways 10 Pay for
Roads Program
Proposals Include
Less Money for
Maryland Counties
By Alex R. Preston
By Alex R. Preston
Star Staff Correspondent

BALTIMORE, Nov. 13.-Pre.
sented with a 12-year highway
construction program costing $56e
million, the Legislative Council
today studied means of financing
1t, including a proposal that coun-
ties be giver less road funds in the
future.
At the same time, Chairman
Russell H. Mccain of the State
Roads Commission disclosed that
the section of the Washington
Baltimore Expressway between
Fort Meade and Washington, now
being built by the Federal Govern
ment, may be closed to truck
traffic.
Delegate William S. James,
Democrat, of Hartford County,
proposed to the council yesterday
that the formula for distributing
motor vehicle revenues be revised
so that the counties and Baltimore
would receive a smaller share of
road funds. At the same time
they would be required to nut up
more local money to match the
State funds for road purposes.
At present, revenue from Ii
censeS. registration fees and the
gasoline tax is divided half to the
State. 80 per cent to Baltimore
and 20 per cent spread among the
counties.
More State Aid Suggested.
Mr.. James suggested that the
State increase its share to 60 per
cent and Baltimore be cut to Is
per cent and the total for the
counties be trimmed to IS per
cent.
The financing arrangement was
suggested after Mr.. Mccain pre-
sented plans for the 12-year pro-
gram which would add $3.50 miles
of new or reconstructed highways
to the State system. The plan,
prepared after 18 months study,
proposes that the road-building
program be financed by raising
the gasoline tax from S to 6 cents,
an across the board raise in
vehicle registration fees and a
$3.50 million bond issue. The pos
Sible imposition of tolls on some
super highways also was con-
sidered.
Abel Wohlman, chairman of the
roads commissions Advisory
Council which helped prepare the
program, said the report did not
contemplate altering the present
road funds distribution formula.
because that would require action
by the General Assembly.
Possible restriction of the high
speed, limited-access expressway
between Washington and Balti-
more to private automobile use
was indicated in an answer to
a question by Delegate Jerome
Robinson, Democrat, of Baltimore.
Truck Issue Discussed.
Mr.. Robinson inquired if the
Roads Commission has authority
to prohibit trucks from certain
roads.
Mr.. Mccain said no legislative
authority exists to restrict roads to
a class of vehicle. But. he added,
the commission can close sections
Of roads to vehicles over a certain
weight in order to protect highway
surfaces.
Mr.. Robinson pressed for an an
swer specifically on the Washing
ton-Baltimore expressway, which
will parallel the present Route
between the two cities.
Mr.. Mccain replied that the
section between Fort Meade and
the Kenilworth interchange, near
the District line, is being built by
the Federal Government as a
parkway for passenger cars only.
Trucks probably couldn't use
it," Mr.. Mccain said.
Maryland has built that portion
north of Fort Meade into Balti-
more. Delegate Robinson asked If
it wouldn't be proper for legislative
authority to be given the Roads
Commission to ban trucks so that
the highway wouldn't be "half fish
and half fowl"
Specifically. If such authority
was used with restraint, it would
be a great asset to the commits
sion." Mr.. Mccain replied.
Booklet Explains Program.
The Maryland program is en-
bodied in a 53-page book for sub
mission to the Legislative Council,
Gov. McKeldin and the General
Assembly which convenes in Jan
uary. It is the product of the
Roads Commission and its advi-
sorry council which was appointed
by Go" McKeldin, a Republican.
But the Democrats control the
Legislature and there may be some
trouble there over who shall take
credit for the undertaking.
Maryland. spend $32 million on
roads in three years prior to 1943
when war shortages slowed down
improvements.
Former Gov. w. Preston Lane,
jr. a Democrat, started a gigantic
road program during his postwar
administration and the State
spent almost 1921 million from
1916 through 1851. A 500 million
bond issue, which was a part Of
the Lane program, will be ex-
pended by next year.
Mr.. Wolman, a professor Of en-
cheering at Johns Hopkins Uni
versity, told the Legislative Council
yesterday:
This is the third time in two
decades the highway system has
been reviewed by the commission
and external agencies and it is
the third time that the conclusion
has been reached that it is made
quate. Why? Because traffic has
run away from improvements and
costs likewise have gone up"
Serving with Mr.. Wolman on
the Advisory Council to the COM