Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-22

state Commissioner of Highways.
1t Is entirely unnecessary to come be-
fore such q represent alive body of IN
telligent business men as see here to-
day and discuss the DE lefits that would
accrue to the Stale Of NaIhe, as the re-
suit of complete sy sIam OF good high
ways. From the interest shown and
the effort put forth Dy the Maine State
Board Of Trade to briaC cbCut a better
condition of our highways 1t can be as
sumed that the benefits Of such "A sys-
ten are fully understood.
In the problem OF getting be:tcr
roads many considerations must be
given weight. 1t Is problem requiring
a considerable amount of preliminary
study and careful thought. before con-
illusions can be draw ard recommend
ations made.
In approaching the question of good
roads 1t appears TO M that we must
work along as practical hfes as pos
sihle, leaving theoretical considerations
aside for the present. When inves.l-
cations theoretical ami otherwise snail
have been completed, If the people de-
eide for some broader system OF I'M
pTovement than that now enjoyed, ne
who can build n good roaI or roah
appreciably better than the one now
existing from the materials at hand IN
any locality, Is the ona Thcse services
will be In demand. FrOil the nature or
the case. for years TO como large per-
centage of our roads must of necessity
be dirt roads. If these roads are cap
bile Of being made better by the appli-
cation of q few fundamental principles
that have apparently Leen overlooked
in a majority Of instances, the fact
should be made known to the municipal
officera and those who have the care of
our highways in order THAT these prin-
ciples may at once be applied and the
general public may SEE that improved
highways ar. not wholly things to be
talked about but are indeed tangible
things.
This information snculC be given
wide publicity as well In order that our
citizens In general Will know whether
results are being accomplished and
they are receiving fun value for their
money Then with = fun understand
ing OF the situation they may say
whether or not they want better roads.
Ind hoped To con" before this
board with some new information 10
lay before you. but from the hardness
with which replies 20 our enquiries
come Ia We are unable 1T this time to
do 10.
There are however some phases nj
the problem to which | would like t.
call attention for a Jew minutes today
a. IN. la rlls1 mr.
following the methods that have been
handed down through generations.
What opportunity have they had for
study aud observation of methods in
use where the best engineering talent
has been employed for years in working
out the problem OF better reads?
What instruction ha- been given
them?
What encouragement has man re-
ceived who has tried 10 do an improved
class OF work? GencrallT the ccnsurr
OF the people because he was spending
money on such a short portion of road.
and particularly becIu3" that portion
OF road did not happ-n 10 be adjacen:
to the premises of the dissatisfied ones.
Our people must learn that road i'm
provenent Is thing Of slow growth
that beginnings must IT, made some
where: that somebody must be given
the authority and :aXe the RESPONSE
bility of saying whore improvement
shall be made to benefit the greatest
number and accomplish the great st
good.
AT present our road funds are adj
ministered largely by Road Commits
sioners elected by lhc Voters. In most
cases qualification for this. office has
depended on ones ability to get votes
mt tho annual election: and many
times. no doubt. in return for votes il;
given the promise OF I job on the road.
These men are not un.nindful of the
adage 'one good turn deserves an.
other" and If perchanrc the official APP
pears to forget 1t. his supporters and
lieutenants remind MIN o: the liability
OF losing votes If too much is required
Of the force on the road. Politics and
road building mus; be divorced. We
must put the work on the same basis
that we would have any private bust
ness.
Do we inquire whether Il teacher Is n
Democrat or n Republican when he $
hired? Do we consider the politics or
religion of doctor or an attorney
when we consult or retain them on a
case? Do we ask these que stions when
book-keeper or a maGager is wanted?
No. Fitness. by experience and ability
are tn. requisites souEh, In each In
stance above noted. Why should We
nor make choice of officials to take
charge of our roads on TIE same con-
siderations?
~ may be for the same reason that
we are doing highway work along the
lines fnaugurated by our ancestors and
handed down to US by them. Until
recently we have though. cur system Of
doing highway work was good enough
but a feeling exists that perhaps better
methods may be found Is il not we'll
to consider whether our system of cleo
ting road commissioners il such as to
give the most satisfac;orI result? I'm
der this system good share of the road
funds In many towns goes towards
educating a lew commissioner every
year or two. About the time man
has learned by experience to guard
against mistakes previously made he +,
turned out and HIS piana is taken by
another man willing to be educated.
,:ood men cannot he induced IN under