Evening star., 1955-11-21
McKeIdin Supports
Road Setup Change
Green Report
Would Scrap
3-kon Agency

7. BALTIMORE, Nov. 81 (R.--
Gov. McKeldin said today he
fayors Ill the proposals Of the
Green Commission, particularly
the two which would scrap the
present State Roads Commission
and replace it with a Depart
ment Of State Roads and q spe-
cial policy board.
The Governor said he will re-
quest legislation to make the
proposals effective at the Feb
lruary session of the General AS
sembly.
Gov. McKeldin's statement
agreed with that of Robert M.
Reindollar. former SRC head,
who said the recommendations
iof the Commission on State Pro-
grams, Organization and Finance
were entirely in line with what
he would have suggested had he
been asked his opinion.
Appointed by Mckeldin
Gov. McKeldin appointed the
investigating commission last
July under the craftsmanship Of
Harry j. Green of Baltimore and
urged that the commission be the
first order of business. At the
time. Democrats were bounding
Republican McKeldin for money
to finance Legislative Council
probe Of the roads commission.
The Green Commissions 10.
page printed report. released over
the week end. suggested that the
present three-man commission
be discarded in favor of a De-
partment Of State Roads. headed
by a single administrator.
It also recommended that the
director have the assistance Of
10 Roads Policy Board, Of which
he would be member. The
board would be responsible for
forming policy. and. except for
lthe director member, would have
nothing to do with administra-
Ition. The board members. other
than the director, would serve
lpart time and would be geo.
graphically representative OF the
State.
Mccain Has No Comment
I Governor McKeldin comment-
led today that the roads commits
lsion has served the State and
Tits people well through the years.
but areas of obsolescence were
becoming apparent over . long
: period
4 The Governor said the Green
!, Commission pointed out specific
} weaknesses which he did not in
'Itend to discuss. but he indicated
.l1e agreed with the commissions
findings.
Il II find myself favorable to all
Of them at this time" he said.
i Russell H. Mccain. present
chairman of the commission, said
he had mo comment at the pres
lent time" because he has not
had the opportunity to study the
report. Another former chair
imam l939-45. Ezra B. Whitman,
liked the suggestion Of single
authority If he is given some
top notch helpers" He also said
there are good many things
TO be weighed" in the report.
Rules Manual Urged
/ The Green Commission sug-
Igested the Governor appoint the
director. who would serve COM
lpletely at his pleasure as do the
three members Of the present
commission
One giaring need, the report
said. is a written manual Of rules
and regulations governing policy
and administrative practices to
be made available to all admin
istrative personnel and the pub
llic.
Public relations wise, the COM
mission said: There should DO
Ian office Of public relations re-
porting directly to the director,
Department Of State Roads. Il
should engage in an active pro-
gram of informing the press,
the public and the employees Of
roads plans, progress and prob
Ilems."
The Green Commission cited
lsuch things as these as typical
tof present SRC operations:
/. The Roads Commission
wastes time taking action on
Imany matters which could be
more effectively taken at lower
lechelons. If delegated.
Decisions Seen Haphazard
2. It sees practically anyone
seeking an engagement, particu-
larly delegations from various
parts Of the State and this con-
Istitutes such a drain on its time
imany important decisions are
neglected and department heads
Ehave q hard time getting to see
their bosses.
8. The chief engineer has
ma, : changes in the admins
trative organization which the
three commissioners apparently
do not know about.
/ 4. Failure to provide an ade-
Quate staff cost more than $780,
1000 In overtime in the year
Tended June 80.
s. Right Of : way engineers
make decisions which mean
Ichanges In the design of q high
way without the design engi-
lneers finding out about it.
6. Construction contracts are
awarded before rights-of-way
have been obtained