Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-23
BETTER ROADS.
Maine Division of L. A. W. Alive to
Necessities Of Good Highways.
Argument OF Prominent WheeImen for lnstit,,.
ton OF Highway Commission.

AL the recent meeting of the Portland
Bicycle Club of the L. 4. W. the interest
Ing question Of the betterment of the
" Kings highways in the State of Maine,
was brought up and some features were
there discussed, which are of vital import
ance.
Charles s. Hichborn of Augusta re-
Gently elected State consul of the L. A.
w., was Invited to address the meeting
but was unable to be present. His mess
age TO the club was plea for the build
ing and maintenance OF good roads, ard
the preferment Of road riding to track
racing.
II. W. Hamlcn of Augusta, was piesent
at the meeting and made an interesting
and sound address upon the subject. The
position OF the whcelmen is that they are
by no means the only ones who are
directly to be benefited by better roads.
The convenience and economy to the
farmer will be especially great, as by bet
ter roads their travelling would be made
easier and much more expeditions.
1t Is certain that the feuds between the
bicycle rider and the vehicle driver, Of
every description, are becoming a thing
of the past When bicycles first became
common, there was sort of standing con
tract to see which could crowd the other
the most The attitude of both has com
pletcly changed. No one recognizes the
rights of the carriage driver more per-
fectly than does the bicycler, and cor
responding courtesy has been extended by
the driver.
A necessity has served only to increase
this feeling of good fellowship and COM
mon ownership and at the next session
Of the Legislature, a bill will be presented
by the l.. A. W, for the institution of a
State highway comm ission, which shall
have appropriations su fficient in the course
of time to make the roads throughout the
State more rideable for all concerned.
Mr.. IIlchborn was seen by journal
reporter, Friday, to learn the attitude of
the l.. A. W. on this matter. He said, in
substance:
1.-The object of the l.. A W. is to obtain
some substantial means for the better
meut of the highways in this State. There
is, they believe. a great necessity for such
commission here as was created in Massa-
chusetts, three years ago. The appropria
ton for the first year in that state was
$500, 600, the second, $1,000 and it is
hoped that 81, 600, 600 will be placed in it's
hands for putting into the roads.
"In Maine there has been universal
demand by bicyclers for better roads. But
the demand is not confined by any means
to the bicyclers. Everyone who uses the
roads, the farmer especially, will be bene
fitted to an inestimable extent. 1t will be
economy in time for him, and also in 6x
penditure of power for conveyance. Where
now, on account Of poor roads, in many
cases u farmer is obliged TO make two
trips, with good roads one would be sutli-
cient, or corresponding amount of drag
gng power might be economical
1T often occurs that bicylers have
started to make a tour through the State
of Name and have gone through it, or,
perhaps, well into it, to return via train or
boat Maine has too many attractions
and other recommendations as II land for
to,rietc T., ha in t,ra1 bana uSp n NOR roads
"And the tourist class is by no means
confined to the riders of the wheel.
Coaching parties would take advantage Of
the better roads, and the direct benefit to
this State would be incalculable.
1.-THE L. A. ". proposes to submit the
petition for highway commission at the
next session of the Legislature, and feels
that it has the support of those interested
in the welfare of the States interest.
Mr.. Hamlcn, one of the most cnthusias-
tic hicyclers Ct this city, expressed himself
that tho necessities of good roads We're
quite as great to the farmers as to the
bicycler. He maintained that If better
roads were luFUt5iltt bHt ihSOihS w '''S
State from that source would be inestima-
BILE and that it required quite as much at
tention as protection of the game and ilsh,
which attract many from other states.
The bicycle season is long one, and as
| it happens, is at present about over. Inc
interest however, is undated. and with
| prospects of better riding, the sport Will
| become in this State second to that In no
| other.
Tho scenery in this State is magnificent
both inland and along the coast. Ihat IN
few wears the State of Maine will be
come known as the Bicyclers and
| Drivers Paradise, and the best for travei
In every way. there is little doubt.
1