Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-07
Road Repairing.

itultof ktnnebee journal
Since the kennebec Journal some
two weeks ago published my protest
regarding the Wasteful extravaganza
of public money ON so-called road re.
pairins, and building in our country
districts. there has not appeared as
far as | am aware. any challenge that
those statements We're not justified: il
is therefore only logical To assume that
what ] there said was absolutely true
and that there undoubtedly is a need
less expense in the upkeep Of our
roads. Indeed there is no denial 10 the
fact that some men waste their time
and their neighbours money by pre-
tending TO work on the roads especial
ly during the summer months Now
II is in the hands of the real men in
each town to remedy this voluntary
feeding Of the "workshies" in their
district and | sincerely trust same~able
men of action will take this matter
up as the room for improvement in
our present methods is great We
want good roads. just as good as we
can AFFORD, but they must be bought
with as much judgment as anything
else for which we have to pay large
sums The problem of how can good
roads he most economically secured
should not be difficult of solution and
] should like To make a few Sugges-
tons which I venture to think would
nelp. First and most important of all
is III the man selected as road COM
missioner. the electors through their
selectmen should make sure before
he starts spending their money! that
no knows of he
6ected of him, an unqualified man can
waste far more than he can earn and
his work he dear at gift. As gem
eral rule a man who does not prove
ability. trustworthiness and gump-
ton in his ordinary occupation of
running \ farm or whatever his bust
ness may be. in short does not know
how to make the most of that which
is his own, is the worst man in the
world 10 be entrusted with the spend
ing of others money, especially as il
comes hard enough nowadays To the
average farmer. Two-Bribery should
not for an instant be sanctioned in Sc
curing votes for road commissioner.
There is good reason 10 believe chat
promises of work ON the roads are
given to anybody and everybody by a
man putting up for road commissioner
on condition that they yell for him at
town meeting. These promises are
what makes road work expensive \
man found guilty of bribery in any
form should be disqualified for at least
five wears. Three-A thorough un-
Outstanding should be reached between
the man elected and the representa-
tives Of the town as to what should
constitute days work and that
amount of time should be rigidls en-
forced. Wages for road work should
be fixed about the same or even Slight
lE less than representative body of
farmers think the work would warrant
il ii had 10 be done on the farms.
This would avoid the temptation of
men choosing road work as a softer
job than farming. Four-Work or the
roads should be done at time when
faria work is not pressing, which
would give the town a chance 10 get
good road commissioner and the
commissioner a chance To get good
help. and also give the best and most
Industrious men more continuous
work throughout the year. 1t would
also leave the men free for the farm
work at time when the land needs
their labor most. Five-Wages should
be fixed according TO the ability of
the Individual. An able bodied man in
his prime should get, and is worth
moro. than a boy or an old man, be-
sides in the case of a married man
with a family his responsibilities are
greater and slight preferences should
be allowed such man if there is not
enough work for all. Six-The COM
missioner should only be partly re-
sponsible for the hiring of his men.
This should be more in the hands of
the selectmen as a body and written
application should be made to them
early in the season from all desiring
work on the roads and early applica-
ton and ability should be given the
preference. Seven-Material such as
piping. plank. etc, should be pur-
chased by the representatives of the
town in the cheapest market, eonsis-
tent with quality and not necessarily
in the local market, although prefer
ence should be given to local trades
men where the price is about the
same.
No doubt others can improve on
these suggestions but even il these
ideas We're carried out, idleness would
be discouraged and industry rewarded
and / feel sure we should get better
and more work on our roads for
great deal less money.
Here is one other thing that might
be mentioned right now and were 1t
remedied would add considerably to
the appearance of our country roads.
1t is the practice in some districts OF
throwing the rocks and refuse taken
from the roadbed into the growing
grass by the roadside; now man
soon gets tired of picking these rocks
out of the long grass and clearing up
after roadwork two. or three times ev-
cry season and so neglects to cut the
grass growing by the roadside with
the result that bushes and other use
less trash accumulate and the road
side instead of growing something
useful soon becomes hideous, NOT only
to ourselves, but to those who visit
us in the summer time and spend
thousands of dollars in our midst |
think most men would willingly clear
these rocks away if they We're placed
in piles by the roadside and with those