Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-03
Maine TRUNK
LINE ROADS
About 100000 Available TO
Aid Them Next Year
An EXERT GIVES HIS VIEWS

An EXERT GIVES HIS VIEWS
John Clark scstcs Shows How Roads
Now In DepIorabie Condition May
Be Put and Kept In Proper condi-
tlon Without Hurting State or Mu-
nicipai Treasuries--Great oppor-
tunIty For Highway Commission
John Clark Scates OF westbrook,
who for several years has made a
study OF the road problem in the
state, and whose booklet why Is
New Hampshire Doing Better Road
Work Than Maine, 7" which has been so
frequently quoted and commented up
on by the press, estimates that APP
proximately $500, 900 can be made
available for trunk line work in
1912. II it is a fact, as his figures
surely seem to demonstrate, there is
. great opportunity for the state high
way commission.
Mr.. Scates says: Evidently during
the coming year some of the worst
and at the same time most travelled
roads In the state should become
thing OF the past. The greater part
OF the road from Kittery to Por.and
and from Fryeburg to Bridgton is
disgrace to any civilized community,
and has done more to injure the fair
name OF the state than anything else.
ut is evident to everyone that little
or nothing has been done this year on
the trunk line road laid out by the
last legislature. The reason is also
obvious to those familiar with state
affairs--a lack of ready cash. Next
year will witness an entire change
and the money already appropriated
should be available. This with the
automobile license fees viii be APP
proximately $500 600.
The highway law provides that all
moneys left over from the highway APP
preparation after the cities and towns
applying for state aid have received
their apportionment shall be applied
10 trunk line work. Here are the APP
proximate figures:
Left over and unexpended
from 1910 appropriation. 80. $50 200
Left over and unexpended
from 1911 appropriation 49,. &c 900
Estimated amount unexpended
from 1912 appropriation. so 900
Automobile license fees,
1912, estimated. ......... 100 900
1886 900
The amount from the 1912 APP
preparation. as well as the auto
mobile license fees. win probably ex-
coed the estimate, so the probable
amount Will be in excess OF $500 900
TO be sure IT IL not obligatory on
the part OF the highway commission
TO use the automobile money for
trunk line roads, for Section 81 OF the
automobile laws provides that all fees
received -. . to be appropriated and
construction OF state highways under
the direction OF the Maine State High
way Commission
Apparently the highway commits
sion has absolute authority to expend
the money received from the automo-
bilists anywhere and for any purpose
It deems expedient and under any
conditions, regulations or restrictions
II may exact. This, TO my mind, is
perfectly correct. II allows the COM
mission to aid those municipalities
most who VIII most aid themselves,
or to use the money where 1t will
best conserve and promote the intery
ests and welfare OF the state az
whole. It is admitted by everyone at
AL familiar with road conditionsft
the roads l have mentioned s7 the
worst In the state -e~S broperi.
time they are ~, a morse
o,bars highway, throw Ne, pee.
.grs mis- wife out OF the --uE
.,.,a 3 iniuring the horse. OF a,vs
sponS s''s on streets. Z, ,o !. ss,sss,
sonyfY xARsHAL's REsIoSATi e..pss be bel
following letter OF resigns -. Oh a
pa from City Marshal stuar ,,gsetips q
r nss relations at the present and 90, sSIttb
u s<ie for me to give such a. nas
- fnses my position as city ma IA