Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-05

the ways and means committee on
the ronean and Chase bridge bills.
senator DoniSan explained the proVi-
SionS o. his bill at some length and
stated that he considered it the most
equitable that could be provided. He
was closely questioned IN regard TO
certain features of it by Senator Wy
man, Scott Wilson of Portland, Repre-
sentative Rounds of Portland, and
state Highway Commissioner Paul D.
Sargent. b. f. Beales of Phillips one
Of the county commissioners OF Frank
lin county. said that his town was in
favor Of the nonigan bill, except that
it would prefer that the limit be made
50 feet instead of 40 Ex-senator
Luther MaddockS of Boothbay spoke
Of previous experiences with bridges
and said that he believed the Donigan
bridge bill was along the right line
SenatCr Milliken of Aroostook gave
as two reasons why the policy of State
maintenance of bridges should be
adopted, that there was no justice and
equity in a town being obliged to build
and CAFE for bridges SIMPLY because
they happened to be within the limits
of the towns. and that the adoption of
this policy would help to make the wild
land towns pay their equitable share
OF taxation He was willing TO take
the Judgment of the committee as to
what particular plan should be adopt
"a. but he hoped the committee would
adopt some plan.
Representative Russell of Gardiner
stated that his constituents We're In IA
Nor of the passage of some bridge bill
and most of them We're in ravor Of the
Donigan bridge bill. A draw and
bridge was maintained by the city OF
Gardiner which benefited the resi-
cents OF other towns and counties for
which Gardiner paid four-ffths of the
cost and Randolph one-fifth.
f. r. Barrett of PiShon's Ferry said
that the bridge in when he was in
tereStei was a bridge 600 feet from abut-
mcnt to abutment and costing $45, 600.
He thought the majority of the people
ii Somerset county We're In favor OF
the Dongan bridge bill and wanted to
try it.
Mayor z. +. Hanson of Belfast said
that he brought a petition from 2S2
residents of Belfast asking for the
"assaSe of some bridge bill, which
should be equitable in its provisions.
lie spoke of a bridge in Belfast over
which So per cent. of the travellers
We're those who did not pay taxes in
that city.
Henry Crowell, county commissioner
81 Somerset county, was in favor OF
q general bridge bill Judge L. w.
Gnodspeed of Randolph said thar every
nan in Randolph was in favor Of the
nonigan bridge bill. Randolph with
S@lo.o3o valuation and population Of
lo1o was obliged to pay one-fifti the
cost of the maintenance OF the Gar
diner and Randolph bridge Postmaster
G. Dexter Libby of Gardiner said that
with two exceptions every man to
whom he had presented the petitions
Tor the Donigan bridge bill had signed
them Mayor Will c. Atkins alluded
Briefly to the situation in Gardiner. The
city was under a heavy expense, which
he thought should be borne in part by
other municipalities. The tax OF the
maintenance of the Gardiner ana Ram
doIph bridge was borne only by great
eNcrtion on the part of the CITY. The
cost of maintenance the past wear was
S21oo of which Gardiner pays rs per
cent The city had expended $4,000 on
bridges the past year
George 7. Tibhetts of Fairfield, Rep
rAsentative Patrick Dunn of Orono.
Charles f. Eaton of Mexico, Walter
A. Cowan Of Canaan and DR.. G.. Gill
more Weld of Old Town were in ia
vor of some bridge bill, the Donigan
bridge bill preferred.
state Highway Commissioner Paul
d. Sargent explained to the committee
the provisions of the Chase bill, which
differs in many respects from the Dom
igan bill
Senator Donigan asked Commissions
e. Sargent If he didn't say in front of
the Augusta House before the opening
Continued on Page Nine.)