Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-06-29
Correspondence.
General Highway Improvement.
AUGUSTA, June ~, 1910.

0eM0Eat nl8hW6t hMsPsVsSS~
AuousrA, June ~, 1910.
To the Editor Of TIE american:
On Monday, June "a, at the Cony house
in Augusta, was held the third meeting OF
the special committee OF the State grange
appointed by the State master, asA result
Of resolution passed ct the last annual
session Of the State grange, to consider the
matter Of general highway improvement.
At this meeting 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 presen. Of
the second meeting Of the committee
some three weeks ago.
At these two meetings the general road
situation was talked over very thoroughly
with especial reference to the maintenance
and repair OF the common dirt roads and
the execution Of the ordinary town road
work. AT the meeting three weeks ago
the committee was unanimous in its opinion
that changes in methods. which would
bring about more economical expenditure
OF the ordinary road funds and better
results As we'll, could only be brought
about through some method Of intelligent
supervision; such supervision carrying
with 1t authority to make rules and regu-
lations for carrying on road work and
authority for enforcing those rules and
regulations.
After three weeks OF thought and study
the committee was again unanimous in its
opinion that this was the first step which
must be taken in order to secure . change
in the present day maintenance.
As = basis for discussion, and by way Of
opening the question st the meeting three
called upon to outline briefly the new sys-
tenn OF highway administration recently
put into effect in the state Of New York,
where the state commission has supcrvi-
sorry powers over the expenditure OF all
road money, whether raised by the town,
the county or the state. Their scheme Of
administration. briefly, is as follows:
A state highway commission, having
supervision OF all construction and main
tensnce work; county or district supcrin-
tendents, the district superintendent be-
ing appointed by the state commis1ion to
have charge Of one or more counties where
the commissioners OF such county or
counties fail to appoints superintendent,
and finally the town superintendent, who
is elected by the voters OF each town for .
term OF two years, but who may be re-
called at any time after . hearing ON
charges OF incompetence, malfeasance or
misfeasence in ONCE, preferred by the
state commission or by twenty-five voters
in the town.
The state commission annually pre-
scribes rules and rcgu lations for the ex-
penditure Of town maintenance money.
All work il done subject to the inspection
OF the county or district superintendent
whose orders must be obeyed and who re-
ports to the state commission.
This system OF supervision is made
possible in New York state on account of
| the state paying . certain percentage OF
the cost OF all maintenance work.
The committee OF the State grange and
associates in conference feel that the prin-
ciples OF intelligent centralized super
NtbAuu ~ the uftt cnAnKe Wnfch must be
made in our present system to bring about
very material changes in results.
II is the desire OF the committee to give
this idea as wide publicity and as general
circulation among the people OF the
State ~ possible, and to this end we hope
you can find space in your paper to print
this letter, and we would also cordially
invite editorial comment and opinions OF
the citizens OF the State at large touching
on this question.
The members OF the committee are
W. G. Hunton, Winthrop, r. F. D.;
George Alden, Gorham, and Z. NJ. Law
| renee, Rockland.
The next meeting OF the committee win
be held at Augusta, on August /, at the
ofiice OF the State highway commissioner.
Letters commenting on or criticising
the conclusions OF the committee Is ex-
pressed in this letter may be addressed
to any member OF the committee or the
State highway commissioner, Augusta,
and all letters will be given considera-
ton 1t the next meeting OF the committee.
PAUL d. SARGENT,
State t,nrn m; 4 s;nnap nj uivhwsv.