Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-01-09
Maine TRUNK
LINE ROADS
About 100000 Available 10
Aid Them Next Year
An EXPERT GIVES HIS VIEWS

John Clark seates Shows How Roads
Now In DepIorabIs Condition May
b Put and Kept In Proper condI'
tIon without Hurting state or Mu-
nIeIpal TreasurIss-oreat oppor.
tunIty For Highway Commission
John Clark Scates Of Westbrook,
who for several years has made q
study of the road problem In the
state, and whose booklet why Is
New Hampshire Doing Better Road
Work Than Maine," which has been SO
frequently quoted and commented up
on by the press, estimates that ap-
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
a 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 a
thing OF the past. The greater part
OF the road from Kittery to Por..ana
and from Fryeburg to Bridgton Is a
disgrace to any civilized community,
and has done more to injure the fair
name OF the state than anything else.
1T 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
afrairs-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 will be ap-
proximately $500, 200.
1.-The highway law provides that all
moneys left over from the highway ap-
preparation after the cities and towns
applying for state aid have received
their apportionment shall be applied
to trunk line work. Here are the ap-
proximate figures:
Left over and une1psnded
from 1910 appropriation. $50, OOO
Left over and unexpended
from 1911 appropriations. sc, 00O
Estimated amount unexpended
from 1912 appropriation. 60 ,OVV
Automobile license fees,
1872, estimated. ...... 10O ,O0C
$2S6 ,0OC
The amount from the 1912 ap-
preparation, as well as the auto
mobile license fees. will probably ex-
coed the estimate, so the probable
amount will be in excess OF $500 900.
ITO be sure 1t Is not obligatory OF
the part of the highway commission
| to use the automobile money To-
trunk line roads, for Section Il Of thu
automobile laws provides that all fee
| received $50 to be appropriated ant
used for the repair, maintenance ant
construction OF state highways unde
the direction Of the Maine State High
way Commission.
Apparently the highway commits
sion has absolute authority to expent
the money received from the automo
bilists anywhere and for any purpose
1t deems expedient and under an!
conditions, regulations or restriction
1t may exact. This, to my mind, Il
perfectly correct. 1t allows the com
mission to aid those municipalitie
most who will most aid themselves
or to use the money where 1t will
best conserve and promote the inter
ests and welfare Of the state as
whole. 1t is admitted by everyone a
all familiar with road conditions tina
the roads | have mentioned are tn
worst in the state. while at the SAM
time they are more Travelled than an,
others.
ITO my mind the execrable con
dition OF one of these roads is re
sponAble for the death OF two per
sons the past summer.
When the state shall discard It
patch work system and reduce It
road policy to somewhere pear a bus
mess basis, the whole or such part o
the automobile money as is necessar
should be used for maintenance. In
spection In construction and mainten
ance afterwards are the two great es
sentials and In these we are woefuil
deficient.
If there were 1000 miles Of goo
dirt, gravel. sand-clay and macadan
state road In the state today, the spe
ctal tax on automobiles would main
tain them and keep them in perfec
condition, under q proper system o
maintenance. without dollar Of ex
pense to the municipalities or state
The thing to do Is to build the road
and then keep them in repair witt
the automobile money"
Then you thin there will be a grea
improvement In the roads next year?
Most asyuredly do. why shouldn'
there be? The state officials ar
aware OF the conditions. and min
you the money has already been ap
nropriated. and while 1 have n,
knowledge. yet It Is to be assumed
that surveys have been made ant
that plans will be completed this
winter and contracts let so TINT worl
may commence Immediately the fros
Is out OF the ground. 1t Is to be ex'
pected that the gateways to the state
as we'll as some other roads that ar,
IN deplorable condition will be re.
constructed or improved. It Is not Il
be expected that all roads are to bt
macadamized. even II It was desira.
BILE, for good gravel or even eartt
roads II properly constructed and look.
ed after will In many parts of the
state withstand all the travel they art
called upon to bear. The price Oh
good roads, no matter what the con-
struction. is eternal repairs. for there
Is nothing permanent about q road.
except the right OF way. Once q dirt
or gravel road Is constructed the
king drag. II properly used at the