The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-12-07
IS NAMES HIGHWAY
MONEY WASTED 3?
Com. HardesOn Says 1t Is Useless to
Build Roads If Repairs are
Neglected.

In the opinion of State Highway
Commissioner Hardeson the greatest
mistake the state of Maine is making
is in not providing compulsory laws
regarding the maintenance of roads
built with state funds, l. e., the state
roads, so called:
1t is, practically, waste of money"
says he, ito construct a splendid piece
OF state highway and then think it is
going to last forever without repairs,
Maintenance work should commence
Very soon after the road is completed
\ few moments work at the time
when a small defect is disclosed may
save thousands of dollars in time,
money and materials later. The cities
and towns, for the most part don't
seem TO appreciate this
II is the opinion of tle commissioner
that much good could be had if the
state and municipal authorities could
be made to observe and pattern after
the methods of the railroad Every
day the section men of the railroad
patrol every inch of its line. Any
minor trouble is remedicd then and
there A serious break is promptly
reported and necessary repairs made
with the same prOmptness. That is
what highways need, according to Mr.
Hardeson.
He points out that, while in Maine
there is a law requiring towns to keep
these roads in good repair, there is no
way to enforce it.
The prevailing opinion all over the
state said he, is that when a piece
OF permanent highway is completed
that is the end of tit will last for
all time. Nothing could be further
from the fact. Maintenance work
should be begun very soon after the
work is completed. By it a great saw
ing is made and better results oh
tanned upon the road"
In his opinion, the new automobile
license law, which will become opera
tive on Jan |, 1912, will work for the
betterment of these conditions. BY the
provisions of this law the funds Sc
cured from this source are to be
available for both first construction
and maintenance work.
He faVors the passage of a law
which will compel towns TO look out
for the sections of the state highway
within their boundaries. A law similar
to that in New Hampshire might meet
the requirements. The law provides
that if piece OF state highway needs
repairs the state department shall
give the municipal authorities co days
notice If at the expiration of that
time it has not been attended to the
state goes ahead and makes the re-
pairs, When the next state tax is
levied upon that town the cost of the
repairs is included in the tax, so that
the town has to pay the bill for main
tenance. This law, to date, has been
productive Of excellent results.
Another law which the commission
feels might be adopted in Maine with
slight modification and perhaps, on a
less elaborate plan, is that of New
York, providing for constant patrol of
the state roads. This is on a some
what similar plan of the railroad sec
ton crew. Each patrol has a horse
and cart or a small cart which he
hauls, according to the nature of his
SEE ton, in which he carries materials
necessary for slight repairs. AS fast
as he discovers a spot where a little
repair may prevent a bad place he
fixes it. The result is that the upkeep
cost of the road is greatly reduced.
MUCH WORK DONE THIS YEAR
Nearly all the cities and towns in
the state have done something in the
way of road improvement this year.
In all, 400 have constructed sections
of state road The figures have not
yet been tabulated, so it is impossible
to state what the total mileage will be
The department has apportioned
among the cities and towns the sum
of $500 as state aid in road work.