The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-01-04

Lett over ana rpexpended from the
1911 appropriation. $4,000
Estimated amount unexpended from
the 1912 appropriation. .............. 10000
Automobile License Fees, 1912 esti-
100000
$3.50, 900
The amount from the 1912 appropria-
ton, as well as the automobile license
fees will probably exceed the estimate,
so the probable amount will be in excess
of $500, 900.
''To be sure it is not obligatory on the
part of the Highway Commission to use
the automobile money for trunk line
roads, for Section q of the automobile
laws provides "that all fees received
to be appropriated and used for the re-
pair, maintenance and construction of
State highways under the direction of
the Maine State Highway Commission. "
Apparently the highway commission
has absolute authority to expend the
n oney received from the automobiles
anywhere and for any purpose it deems
expedient and under any conditions, reg
ulations or restrictions it may exact.
This, to my mind, is perfectly correct.
1t allows the Commission to aid those
municipalities most who will most aid
themselves, or to use the money where
it will best conserve and promote the in
terest and welfare of the State as a
whole. 1t is admitted by everyone at all
familiar with road conditions that the
roads have mentioned are the worst in
the State, while at the same time they
aresmore Travelled than any others.
ITO my mind the execrable condition
one of those roads is responsible for
- cath of two persons the past sum-
n.+c2 the State shall discard it's
noI;cv< system and reduce it's road
basis tbSmewhere near business
mobile MON or such part of the auto
used for necessary should be
, construction an inspection IN
wards are the two ntenance after
in these we are woefS Sssentlals and
''If there were 1000 ASlent.
gravel, sand-clay and hXood dirt,
road in the State to-day, th State
on automobiles would maintain p tax
keep them in perfect condition! md
proper system of maintenance, ~
, dollar of expense to the municipaf2s
Or State. The thing to do is to build IN
, roads and then keep them in repair wit
the automobile money"
Then you think there will be a grea
;. improvement in the roads next year?
'Most assuredly l do, why shouldn'
there be? The State officials are awar
:. of the conditions, and mind you tn
> money has already been appropriated
and while l have no knowledge, yet it
to be assumed that surveys have bee
: made and that plans will be complete
this winter and contracts let so tina
work may commence Immediately tn
frost is out Of the ground. 1t is to b
expected that the gateways to the State
as well as some other roads that are in
deplorable condition will be reconstruct
ed or improved. 1t is not to be expecte
that all roads are to be macadamizee
even If it was desirable, for good grave
or even earth roads if properly construct
ed and looked after will in many parts Q
the State withstand all the travel the
are called upon to bear. The price 6
good roads, no matter what the cor
struction, is eternal repairs, for there
nothing permanent about road, exceI
| the right Of way. Once dirt or grave
road is constructed the king drag,
properly used at the right time, wi
work wonders in keeping it in repair
beside the cost is nominal; pair q
horses and one man can drag from eigh
to twelve miles day.
s'It is humiliating fact-a conditio
that those who have pride in our gran
old State will not suffer much longer t
exist-that such States as New Hamr
shire and Vermont, to say nothing of u
the other eastern States, have displaye
much more intelligence and enterpris
than Maine in the construction and Re
pair Of highways. The people of Main
desire better road conditions and er
long will demand them in no uncertai
tone. It is also most humiliating to on
State pride to be left 80 far behind j
this line of civic improvement"
u D..
Never can tell whsn you'll mash . finger
suffer cut, bruise, burn or scald. Be pr
pared Dr.. Thomas Eclectic OIL instantly r,
tisves the pain quickly cures the wound.