Evening star., 1954-09-30
Area Pairley
Sees IIrlbaIance
Of Highways
Maryland and
Virginia Prospects
In Sharp Contrast
By George Beveridee

By George Beveridee
Area traffic experts. seeking
ways to work more closely on |
common problems, had before
them today a sharply imbal- /
anced picture Of new highway
prospects.
Maryland is optimistically |
riding the crest of a $500 mil
lion road program, which will
bring the Washington area 544
miles Of new roads in the next
10 years.
Virginia legislators concede
they must find ways to finance
big projects needed in this area.
The difference showed up
dramatically in talks yesterday
by officials attending the third
annual Commissioners and Gov
ernors' Conference on Metro
politan Traffic Problems, held
In the Hotel washington.
Standard Laws Asked.
Maryland, District and Vir-
ginia officials approved COM
mittee reports proposing dozens
of steps to improve enforcement,
court and other traffic pro-
cedures. Many are aimed at
standardizing laws or regulations
to make the same rules apply
throughout the area.
The proposals will be pushed
during the next year by a special
traffic council. In panel discus
sion yesterday, indications were
that some are in for rough
shedding.
Maryland Roads Commissioner
Russell II. Mccain touched OF
the highway situation in an ad-
dress on the status and financ-
ing of his States 1886 million
highway program.
Mainly Through Bonds.
The program. financed mainly
by bond issues. calls for $69 mill
lion to be spent for 266 miles
of road in Montgomery County
and $82 million for 278 miles in
Prince Georges, Mr.. Mccain said.
Those with the highest priority
in this area include completion
of the Washington National
Pike from Frederick to Wash
ington (now under contract as
far south as Rockville). COM
pletion of the Annapolis freeway
to Washington, extension of Six
teenth street NV. and rebuild
ing of Route 301 to the Morgan
town bridge.
TN IL years, Maryland will
have a completely, modern high
way system" he said, "but will
be paying for it until about 1880"
in the retirement Of bonds.
At q panel discussion later, re-
porters asked Virginia legislators
about prospects for big Virginia
road expenditures in this area.
The State Highway Department
has warned fatty that it has no
money in sight for many projects
planned.
Bonds Virtually Out.
| William II. Irvine of Evington,
Va, chairman of the Virginia
Legislature Roads Committee,
said the State is committed to a
pay-as-you-go program. A bono
program such as Maryland has
would be a surprising backof1
from "long-established policy.
he said.
Asked if he feels the rura
State Legislature gives urbar
areas a fair ALLEGATION of roat
money, Mr.. Irvine said, with
laugh, he is a rural legislator
himself and thinks it does.
State Senator Charles r
Fenwick of Arlington said h
wants further investigation o
possible toll facilities in thi
area. The question Of Fedora
responsibility in nearby Virgins
also needs more airing, he said.
Both the legislators. however
; agreed study is needed to fin
new revenue sources for all Stat
roads-rural and urban.
Maryland Inspections Forecast
; In other highlights Of pane
discussions:
/. Perry o. Wilkinson, Primo
Georges County member of tn
Maryland House of Delegate.
J said chances are bright for es
: tablishment of a motor vehicl
. inspection system at the mex
|, legislative session. Such a sys
: : tenn was urged strongly by con
ference. committees.
2. District Commissioner Ren
ah Camalier, Representativ
Hyde, Republican, of Maryland
| and Mr.. Wilkinson agree
J" chances are good for establish
E ment Ia the District and Mary
: land OF voluntary chemical test
n to determine the degree Of in
8 toxication of tipsy drivers. Bl
r they doubted the tests would
I made compulsory for all sus
: poets.
a A conference committee ha
4 urged the tests ultimately /
$ made compulsory, with a findin
t of is of / per cent Of alcoh'
t by weight in the blood presumH
tive of intoxication. Virgini
has provisions for tests. but on,
J. when requested by traffic o.
y tenders.
= 8. Mr.. Camalier and Mr.. Hyt
= were cool to a proposal tn
" mandatory Jail sentences
: given persons who operate ca
l. after their licenses have bet
revoked or suspended. They sa
they felt courts should have di
cretionary powers in unusu
cases. Such o mandatory pr
vision applies In Virginia.
4. Mr. wilkinson and Mar
,r land State Senator j. r. Fletcl