1916] OF THE SENATE. 395

trains are passing over this bridge. Should there be an auto-
mobile, vehicle or person on the bridge during the passing of
a train it would endanger the public; in f act, the bridge is not
safe.

2. Worcester county has been paying to the Baltimore,
Chesapeake and Atlantic Railway Company for many years
prior to June, 1915, a compensation of f 500 per annum. In
June, 1915, the Railway Company increased the rate from
$500 to $1, 200 for a period of one year. We understand from
Mr. W. U. Polk, superintendent of the Baltimore, Chesapeake
and Atlantic Railway Company, Salisbury, Maryland, that this
rate will be changed in June, 1916, from $3, 000 to $5, 000.
Mr. Polk further stated that he did not think it was the
proper thing for Worcester county to assume the taxation
of the bridge. He seems to think that the State should con-
struct and maintain a bridge of its own. He also stated that
there was considerable dissatisfaction at Ocean City and in
this vicinity in regard to the present arrangement.

3. We further understand that the State Roads Commission
refuse to recommend the construction of the bridge. In this
connection we differ with the State Roads Commission. We
seem to think that the construction of the bridge would be
the completion of the State road from Salisbury to Ocean City.
We contend that in lieu of the fact that the bridge is used
universally by people from all parts of the Eastern Shore,
which embraces Virginia, Maryland and Delaware territories,
and further used by people of Baltimore city and other sec-
tions of the State, that the bridge should be constructed and
maintained by the State; in fact, we consider it purely a State
issue.

4. Ocean City, as you probably know, has a population dur-
ing the winter of approximately 600. During the summer the
population is about 3, 000. There is a fair traffic over this
bridge during the winter, and a very substantial traffic during
the summer months. Ocean City is one of the principal sum-
mer resorts in the State of Maryland, and is also one of our
very heavy fish markets. The annual amount of business
handled at Ocean City is approximately $1, 000, 000.

If there is any point upon which the foregoing memorandum
has not been sufficiently explicit, or if there is additional in-
formation which you desire, it will be our pleasure to furnish
it upon request.

Very respectfully,

AUGUSTUS TOADVINE,
President, Associated Merchants' Club.

[Which was read and referred to the Committee on
Finance. ]