Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-07
STATE HOUSE.
State Assessors to Get infor-
nation on Bridges.
Town Officers Required to Answer
20 Questions.
Eustis r, r. Extension-Departme
Notes.

upOn the state board of assessors,
during the coming year. is the collec-
ton of information concerning the
bridges throughout Maine. Two years
ago an attempt was made by the
board to collect such information but
the results were not wholly salts
factory, ana by "a resolve of the last
Legislature the board will make
another canvass of the matter this
year, and is given more authority TO
enforce answers to the questions sub
United to the municipal officers.
1t will be remembered that the QueS-
ton of State ownership of all bridges
over 40 feet in length was one of the
most discussed that came before the
Legislature a year ago. There are
many inequalities and hardships
worked by the present system, where
by bridges are built and kept in repair
by municipalities. 1t often happens
that the towns at the ends of a bridge
are no more accommodated by the
structure than surrounding towns
which never have to pay out Il cent
towards building it or keeping it in
repair. Many towns have been
financially crippled. in recent years, by
having to rebuild bridges carried away
by freshets. AS result many toll
bridges exist which are a public
nuisance, and for whose abolition
everybody hopes. There was a strong
feeling i'll the last Legislature to have
the state or possibly the counties take
the burden of these bridges from the
towns. but the information at hand
concerning the number and the valu"
of bridges was not SO complete as was
wished for, and so definite action was
put over for two years.
BY the resolve referred to above, the
assessors will send out in April, with
the blanks fer the usual valuation
| returns, Il series of 20 questions re-
gartling bridges over % feet in length.
| The total number of bridges, regard
| less Of their length or size is also asked
| for, but the main questions all concern
those over 50 feet in length. Municipal
officers will be required to give the
length of all such bridges; the length
! OF approaches; the name of the stream
| Of water crossed, the number of piers
| Of the bridge; whether it is covered or
open; whether tell or free; its cost.
| condition, age, material, etc. They
! will also be asked questions relative
raised for the maintenance of bridges,
| ard the money already appropriated
| for new bridges to be built, if any.
The State assessors are to tIbulate
| the answers received from these ques-
tions. and if found to be Incomplete
! from any section, they are TO com
| muuicate with the county commits
| sioners Of that county, who are re-
| ,i,.l, Il. ;,fn tif,r,
which is lacking. The resolve gives
the assessors the same authority to
collect these statistics, as it has in
Collecting its annual returns of the
| States valuation, ana if municipal
| officers refuse or neglect to answer the
| questions asked. the board has
| authority to send an agent to that
town and collect the necessary infor-
nation at the expense of the town.
| This is n matter of great interest to
the municipalities Of Maine; and the
| town officers, when they receive these
blanks. next April. will be wise if
they send in the required information
promptly, accurately and completely.
| AT the last moment. Governor Hill
was obliged to Civ. up his plan to go to
present. today. 1T the Inauguration Of
Governor Bates. His decision WIS
partly owing to a severe cold which
ma j. him anxious to avoid unnec"s-
@lrv cxroSure ana in part due to bust
Hess matters which Unexpectedly came
NJ. He now expects 10 make a bust
neg; trip 10 New York. next week.
h., "a 1i.S.i h.,1 III