Montgomery County sentinel., 1952-05-22
Letters to the Editor

ed. Note: The following is
a copy of a letter written by
Dyke Cullum of Germantown to
Russell Mccain, Chairman of the
State Roads Commission.)
Dear Mr.. Mccain:
read in the newspapers that
definite routing of the Washington
National Pike from the Montgom-
cry County line South to a pre-
determined point on Highway 1T,
near Germantown, has been de-
cided upon by the Commission and
that procurement of right-of-way
has been started. l called you by
telephone to ask what decision had
been made regarding the right-of-
way through my 405-acre farm,
two miles North of Germantown,
but was informed by your secre-
tary, Mr.. Gordon, that you were
not available. l talked with your
C h i eff engineer, Mr.. William F.
Childs, Jr., who stated that my
pleas for return to the original
plan or modification of his wind
ing route were definitely rejected.
Mr.. Childs said the Commission
had adopted his plan, which will
completely destroy the entrance to
my private paved roadway; also,
tear up the embankment and cul-
vert where my road enters High
way 120.
l understand that the Washing
ton National Pike was started un-
der the Democratic administration,
when Mr.. Robert M. Reindollar was
Chairman. At that time the Pike
from Montgomery County line
South to Highway 1T was sur
veyed in an approximately straight
line. Under present plans the route
has been shifted to a winding de-
sign, longer and evidently much
costlier than the original plan.
Upon inquiry as to why an ex-
press pike should be so winding,
the reason given was, DRIVERS
don't go to sleep so easily on wind
ing roads," l have also talked with
some road building engineers and
they seem to be at loss as to why
such winding route was selected,
stating straight route was more
desirable.
l have been informed that the
2/3 mile through my place, plus
the two bridges near both ends of
my farm, plus rebuilding my pri-
vate paved road, will cost the State
Of Maryland over one million dol
lars and probably one and one-half
million. l stopped by the Mont
Somery County offices in Rockville
ana looked at the map showing
the original plans and the revised
plans. 1t appears that Mr.. Child's
winding road is not only much
longer but has several reverse
curves.
/ regret that you did not per-
sonally come down to my farm and
make an inspection, as you planned
several weeks ago. / am confident
that if you had given this matter
your personal attention, looking at
the survey stakes and the actual
routing, you would have considered
the situation further. If the revised
plan were shifted only 100 feet
back to the original plan, it would
save my driveway entrance and
straighten part of the rs" curve.
/ would consider it a personal IA
vor if you would come down this
coming week end and make a per-
sOnal inspection of the situation,
as | feel sure you not only want
to save the taxpayers money, but
also wish to cooperate with the
landowners. | realize you are ex-
tremely busy, but do hope you can
spare a couple of hours Iime. as
my farm is only a Commute drive
from your residence in Frederick.
If you can come down, will Won
please call me as l surely want to
meet you and go over the grounds
with you.
Dyke Cullum