feeder roads be made adequate for existing traffic, and for that traffic
volume which may be expected within a reasonable, foreseeable future.
The widening and resurfacing of these roads, together with the elimina-
tion of sharp horizontal and vertical curves, and the widening of existing
structures, are necessary improvements which cannot be over empha-
sized. They must not, and they will not, be neglected. Provision must
be made for a proper and an orderly construction on both the primary
and secondary system.

The State Roads Commission currently is spending approximately
100 million dollars a year on highway construction and maintenance.
This is big money—more than is spent by any other agency of our State.
It is imperative that these monies be spent wisely and that the citizens
of this State receive a full return from the expenditures made.

This is the reason I am so pleased to address the Maryland Highways
Contractors Association, the membership of which is responsible for a
vast segment of this construction. I am pleased, also, that membership
in your Association is not limited to construction firms located in our
State, but is broad enough to include those highway builders from other
areas who bid successfully on Maryland contracts.

I am convinced that there should be a close and a mutually respected
relationship between the State Roads Commission and the contractors
who build our highways and bridges. You are practical men. You
possess knowledge, acquired from years of construction experience, which
can be of great assistance to the State. Constructive criticism is a good
thing. It should be given in a spirit of cooperation and should be so
received.

I understand that over past years there has existed a relationship
between your Association and the State Roads Commission which has
proven most valuable. Proper committees from your organization have
met with and cooperated with the State Roads Commission in the prep-
aration of specifications for material, highways, bridges and incidental
structures. I trust that, in the years just ahead, this relationship will
be strengthened, and I am confident that both the State and the
builder will benefit therefrom.

In speaking of the Commission, before closing I have an announce-
ment to make which I am sure will be of interest to all of you. As you
doubtless have heard, Robert O. Bonnell, Chairman of the Commission,
has given me his resignation, effective February 16. Also, you probably
know that I am formulating plans for the reorganization of the Com-
mission, I shall present this reorganization program in detail at a joint

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