The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-11-14
MAINE ROADS TO Be
EXAMINED
by United States Engineer Who VIII
0ffer Some Suggestions of Improve
ment.

experts connected with the United
States office of Public Roads at Wash
ington. will make a scientific investi-
CATION of the Maine highways. This
action has been brought about through
the combined efforts of Gov. Plaisted
and the State Board of Trade. At a
meeting of the latter organization held
in Bangor in September. a special
good roads committee was appointed
by President f. E. Boothby consisting
of Lyman II. Nelson, Seth A. Moulton
of Sawyer G. Moulton; f. W. Freeman,
attorney; w L. Butler of Pennington,
and w. +. Davis of Sanford. This
committee was duly given authority by
the State Board of Trade to investigate
the road situation in Maine with a
view to presenting to the next legis-
lature such facts and assistance as
Is might be able to render as help
to future legislation on this subject
and this committee was given author
ity to consult with Governor Plaisted
and Goyernor-elect Haines
President Boothby in selecting the
members of the State board committee
paid particular attention to the differ
ent branches of the highway question.
1t was desired SO far as possible In n
small committee of five to get the diff
ferent viewpoints of this great prop
osition represented. He was particu-
larly fortunate to secure the expert
services on this committee of Seth a
Moulton, a civil engineer of the very
highest standing in this State, man
who is thoroughly familiar with road
contract work and with all the techni-
calities of the situation from an en-
cheering standpoint.
w. l.. Butler is thoroughly inter
ested in good roads as your readers
are we'll aware and has been making
a special study of the question oil
maintenance.
Mr.. Nelson, the chairman of the
committee, as is we'll known, was the
originator of the $2,000.000 bond Is
use idea and has been identified with
this movement from the start AS he
Is also an enthusiastic automobilist
he will naturally see that that view
point is not lost sight Of Mr.. Davis oil
Sanford is president of the Board OF
Trade In that town and has for many
years been deeply interested in the
road question and knows how the up
to-date village looks at this question
! He Is to pay particular attention to
! the question of through roads 50 that
whatever bill may be drawn for pres
entation to the next Legislature will
meet the constitutional require
ments of the new amendments de-
handing the equitable treatment of all
counties. f. w. Freeman is we'll
known as an attorney of prominence
and his services will be of great help
to the committee In drawing up new
law.
The United States government main
tains at Washington highway depart
ment of considerable magnitude. They
have published a great many bulletins
on highway construction, have large
number of engineering experts con-
stantly at work upon this problem,
have a department especially devoted
to the testing of road building ma
terial, and have thus in the last eight
or ten years secured an enormous
amount of practical information on
this subject. They are constantly
building model roads and sending their
engineers into every state in the
Union This department is unques-
way matters and 1t was because of the
broad experience that it has acquired
that the State Board of Trade COM
mittee deemed 1t desirable, If possible
to secure one of their experts for
Maine. The government sends these
men out upon application from pro-
per state authorities with the under
standing that the question of his sal
airy and transportation to and from
the particular state are taken care
by the government, the receiving party
being responsible only for his sub
stance and transportation within the
State.
The State board committee having
ascertained that a particularly good
man would be available from Wash
ington, then proceeded to take the
matter up with Governor Plaisted and
Highway Commissioner Hardison.
Both of these officials highly approved
of the idea and Governor Plaisted has,
upon behalf of the State of Maine,
made formal application to the govern
ment. Under the arrangements made
by the state board with the governor,
the state will pay the expenses of the
subsistence of the engineer while here,
and the board committee Is to look at
ter the matter of automobile trans
portation so that the engineer will
have ample opportunity to examine
the conditions throughout the State.
There Ia no doubt that Maine is
It