Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-29

1
the hills and filing i'm some of tho val
| leyS and low places. it would result in
giving Augusta one Of The best pieces
! of work it has had done for some time
| This, in contrast with the purchase
"i property for . system OF parks,
| WOULD not take one dollar of taxable
| property flom the city,
EA-Mdyor George +. Macomber said:
1t seeils from my observation in
various parts Of the State that the
| highways of Augusta are not up 10 an
average of similar roads even in tile
smaller towns of Maine and driving into
Augusta from almost any direction one
can easily note the town line by the
bad condition Of Augusta roads This,
is III part due to conditions which per-
maps are different mere than in most
other places. Tie Tcgus road for in
stance over which q large traffic comes
70 IN" city IS very rocky and material
I" repair very scarce and must he
hauled long distances. The roads to
lt"lloWell and Manchester arc of clay
ana 1t Is little use to keep hauling this
material on and leave question of side
ur2lnaS" I" take care of itself The
road between this city and HaIlowelI is
a DISGRACE to tie city ana for Il month
or six weeks this spring has been
practically impossible. Teams have
become nircd ana in numerous in
stances the Street cars have mad to
mitch on and pun them out. There is a
large exchange of business between
these t"o cities and at least ono road
connecting them should be thoroughly
maCada;miZcd. Hallowcll has always
kept their end in much the best shape
The road extending out from Western
Avenue is in much the same condition
and connecting as it does the whole
western half of the county which
naturally comes here to trade should
be in good shape every month in the
year. The Mayor suggests an eight
foot road in width Of macadam
That much gravel or crushed rock
would soon be absorbed or cngulfcd in
the surrounding clay and all the work
would have to soon be rcnca ted
II would think it policy to do what we
begin in a thorough and substantial
manner and stop when we get as far as
we can on this basis. Establish Il
system and follow it IN every year. If
it coul1 he done under some kind Of
i Board of Public Works which should
ContinU" year after year to handle the
matter much moro could be accom-
pli@hcd than by leaving it to every now
incoming city government; $1,000 per
year rightly expended and raised by
taxation ought to assure great i'm
pTovemcnt in next ten years When
the old Spraguc debt was refunded
eighteen years ago it was so arranged
as to gradually mature and be paid and
the city would some day be relieved Of
Tho large charge for interest that has
been resting upon us farther back than
most Of us can remember. I do not
believe the permanent debt of the city
ought to be p"rpetuatod and increased
10 take care Of those necessities which
We should care for ourselves our
poSteriiy will have all the burdens they
eau attend 10 if we don't hand this adj
ditional one down to them.
My IDEA would 30 to do some thing
substantial every year in the line of
ROAD building hut to pay as VIC 60"
Hon Paul y. Sargent. State com
missioner Of highways. said: The
plan of the mayor of Augusta. as it
presents itself to me. is entirely feast
bic ANA 7 am sure that tho expenditure
of $40 900 on the highways leading into
your city would he one Of tho best
things that could be accomplished to
promote tn" city'& welfare. All over
tho United States the state. county and
town officials arc beginning to realize
that the people in the suburban dis
trictS must be given the advantage of
good roads In New York state y bond
lied by the legislature for good roads
4 sinking fund is created, and with the
state bearing one-half the expense, tn"
county 50 per cent. and tho towns II
per cont. tho payment is guaranteed.
! know that the road conditions in the
vicinity of Augusta are very bad ana
think that the citizens of Augusta
will do well to authorize the issue Of
bonds that the roads may be i'm
proved"
w. u. fIutchins. farm agent said
Il know of no single issue. outside Of
schools. Of 50 great importance or
would benefit the people as a whole in
city and country and county of equal
value to each, the rich. tho poor tho
merchant. tn" farmer. the tourist, as
the improvement Of our highways. Tn
like any other public institution, they
are thrown open to the Who'll" world
FOR use by day and by night for $685.
| days every year. To strangers. no ono
| thing is looked to rs the index of our
| prosperity more than our roads. The
| permanent repairs Of these avenues of
| commerce arc Of vital Importance, not
| only as Il matter of convenience and
necessity. but from q financial stand
point as well.
ANY traveller will 90 longer dis
tance and out of his way to patrnnize
| tho railroad with the best road bed
and my opinion is that $4,000 could
not he expended in any way by the
| city Of Augusta to as good advantage
ana welfare Of the city as to spread it
| out over Our streets and roads for the
| free use If every man. woman and
| child within our borders.
"a good suggestion Of the mayor
| and if carried out. will do much to
make our city buster better and big
! ger. and will he burden 10 no one
| | cxpccf to see it approved June 4 by
| an enthusiastic voice of the proDIn''