I am most grateful to you for allowing me to present my views, and
I know that whatever results come from your deliberations, my own
State of Maryland will be honored and proud to cooperate in any
way.

ADDRESS, MARYLAND HIGHWAY CONTRACTORS
ASSOCIATION

BALTIMORE

February 13, 1961

I want to thank Mr. Leroy Kern and Mr. Bill Hardy and the
members of the Maryland Highway Contractors Association for
asking me to be with you for this very fine gathering today. I like
to look upon the State Roads Commission and the highway con
tractors of this State as members of a joint venture, in the exciting
and demanding job of helping to give Maryland a first class trans-
portation system.

You gentlemen, and the members and staff of the State Roads
Commission are engaged in an exciting and demanding job. It is
a job that I believe will fill two important functions. First, a strong
highway system will provide for the safe and efficient movement of
people and goods in our State. Second, it will serve to boost the
economy of our State. I think all of vis here are acutely aware of the
first point. There is not need for me to remind you gentlemen of the
built-in safety inherent in our modern highways. I don't have to re-
mind you that death rates on our expressway facilities are much lower
than on older type highways. This Administration has dedicated
itself to highway safety, and I applaud the work of the engineers
and contractors who build roads which, because of their design and
construction, will save lives.

As to the efficient movement of people and goods, I would have
this to say. In these days, motorists and truckers do not measure the
length of their trip by miles as much as they do by minutes. The
average commuter, for example, when asked how far he lives from
his job, usually says 30 minutes or 40 minutes rather than five miles
or six miles. The shipper does not ask how far it is from manufactur-
ing plant to market place, but rather how fast can he deliver his
product to the shelves. The highway user, whether he be driving an
automobile or operating a truck, has little patience with bumper-to-
bumper traffic. You gentlemen are aware of die great contribution

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