Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-28
The State Grange Favors
Highway Improvement.
Letter on The Matter by State
Commissioner Sargent.
Somerset TimberIand Co. Votes to
Reduce Capital Stock.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Tuesday, June %, at 1 p, M.

+ In connection with the question of
the general highway Improvement in
Maine which is now being given care
full study by a committee of the State
{ Grange. and with a view to helping
the general cause along the State
commissioner of highways has ad-
dressed the following letter to the
. press of the State with the request
that it he given publicity:
TO the Editor:
On Monday. June -4th, at the Cony
House. in Augusta. Maine. was held
the third meeting OF the special COM
mittee q the State Grange appointed
by the state master, as a result of a
resolution passed at the last annual
session of the State Grange. to con-
slider the matter of general highway
improvement.
AT the meeting held on the 14th
representatives Of the State Board of
Trade and the Lewiston and Auburn
Automobile Club were present as well
as the State commissioner of high
ways. These parties were all present
at the second meeting of the commit
tee some three weeks ago. At these
two meetings the general road situa-
ton was talked over very thoroughly
with especial reference to the main
tenance and repair of the common dirt
roads and the execution of the ord-
nary town road work. At the meet
ing three weeks ago the committee
was unanimous in its opinion that
changes in methods which would
bring about more economical expendi-
ture Of the ordinary road funds and
better results as well, could only be
brought about through some method
Of intelligent supervision: such super
vision carrying with it authority to
make rules and regulations for carry
ing on road work and authority for
enforcing those rules and regulations.
After three weeks of thought and
study the committee We're again
unanimous in it's opinion that this was
the first step which must be taken in
order to secure change in the pres
ent day maintenance.
As a basis for discussion and by
way of opening the question at the
meeting three weeks ago the State
commissioner was called upon to
briefly outline the new system of
highway administration recently put
into effect in the state of New York,
where the state commission has
supervisory powers over the eXpendi-
ture of all road money. whether raised
by the town. the county or the state.
Their scheme OF administration brief
" is as follows:
A State highway commission hav-
ing supervision of all construction and
maintenance work. county or district
superintendentS. the district Superin-
tendent being appointed by the State
commission to have charge of one or
more counties where the commission
ers of such county or counties fail to
appoint "A superintendent; and finally
the town superintendent who is elect
ed by the voters of each town for
term of two years, but who may be
recalled at any time after a hearing
on charges OF Incompetence, NAL
feasence or misfeasence in office. pre-
ferred bv the state commission or by
twenty five voters in the town.
The state commission annually pre-
scribes rules and regulations for the
expenditure of town maintenance
money. All work Is done subject to
the inspection of the county or district
superintendent. whose orders must be
commission. .sr
This system of supervision Is mace
possible in New York state on account
of the state paying certain per
centage of the cost of ala maintenance
work
The committee of the state Grange
and their associates in conference feel
that the principles of Intelligent CEN
tralized supervision is the nrs'
change which must be made in our
present system to bring about very
material changes in results.
1t is the desire of the COMMITTEES 10
give this idea as wide publicity ana as
general a circulation among the pep
pie of the state as possible ana 10 inns
end we hope you can find space III
your paper to print this letter ana we
would also cordially invite edltorai
comment and opinions of the citizens
of the State at large touching on TINS
question.
The members of the committee are
W. G. Hunton. Winthrop. Maine. X. +.
d. George Alden. Gorham. Maine. ana
+. Nj. Lawrence. Roclland. Maine
The next meeting of the committee
will be held at Augusta. on August
first at the office of the State highway
commissioner.
Letters commenting on or crlticislng
the conclusions of the committee as
expressed in this letter may be ad-
dressed to any member Of the COM
mttee or the state highway commits
sioner. Augusta. Maine. and all letters
will be given consideration at the next
meeting OF the committee.
Trusting YOU viii be able to give
the space desired to help along TINS
educational work ! beg to remain Tor
the committee, who have asked me 10
write this letter and for myself per
sonally.
Your obedient servant.
pAJrJ n SARGENT,