Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-21
Maine Automobile Associations
Annual Session i'm Portland.

an agent has been constantly en-
| ployed. under salary and expenses, in
teresting people in highway problem
and explaining the aims and objects
Of the Association. He has covered tho
/ State from Kittery to Van Buren, and
/ have beenfrom Calais to Gilead.
/ That some means should be devised
whereby the principal highways al
least could be properly signed by a
neat and uniform system of signs, is
apparent to all. At every four corn
ers today can be found only mass of
advertisements printed ON anything
from shingle to 20 foot billboard.
This worn could best he done by the
State Highway Department. with pes
sibly the assistance of the Association
New Highway Law.
A new highway law must be enacted
by the next Legislature Until such a
law is enacted, no part of the pro-
ceeds of the bond issue can be used.
Such a law should be laid ON broad
and comprehensive lines. Local self
ishness and petty jealousies should be
entirely eliminated. and only the vel
fare % the State considered | think
/ am safe in stating that the automo-
bilists ask no special consideration,
want none, but de have Il right, as they
are t. provide the money to pay the
bonds, interest and principal. by means
Of special road tax from which all
other vehicles are exempt, no matter
how muCh they damage the roads, TO
insist that the money be judiciously
expended in the several counties where
it will accommodate the greatest
amount of all kinds of business and
the most people. That the roads in
each county shall be so laid out that
ihe highways in one county shall con-
meet with those of adjoining counties.
That after the roads are once con-
strueted, the State or municipalities
shan provide a perfect and constant
system of maintenance.
THE employment of the inmates of
bur county prisons on the roads, not
under the contract system, although
this system is in force in most Of our
large county jails tCGay. but under the
control and supervision of the prison
authorities, should receive the careful
consideration of the members of this
Association as we'll as the people of the
State. How much better it would be
for the physical yes, the moral welfare
inhaling pure air. than being confined
in the tlark, damp jail workshop.
breathing vitiated air | was much
impressed by the address of a prison
reform worker before a National good
roads convention at Washington. He
was interested in and considered thu
humanitarian side of the question only.
1t was stated by him that a large per-
cent of the prisoners were afflicted with
tuberculosis and other germ disea ses;
that the heels, breoms and other arti-
cies manufactured in the jail work
shops carried the germs into the homes
and We're a menace TO the health OF the
community In behalf of humanity he
appealed to the members of that con-
vention to use their influence in get
ting the prisoners out of the jails. and
onto the roads. s..&.
Double Tourist Business.
The Association is destined to be
great service 70 the State. The tour
ist business at present amounts 10
some s25,0oa000 annually. Yet great
as is the amount with 4 proper system
Of improved roads. ii is no eXaggera-
ton IL state that the Association. by
its connections, could double this