Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-08-12
STATE HOUSE,
New Commission Gets a
Start on Road Work.
Socialist and Progressive Can
dldaies File Nomination Papers.
0,e Pardon Hearing Lsft for Til,
months Gov. and Council Meetiny.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Regular Meeting of Governor and
Council, Friday, Aug. %, 1918, 10 A. M.

COMMISSION IN resolving TO make ltSel.
non partisan body has met with
much favor is extremely manifest by
the utterances of those, who are inter
ested in this department, as we'll rs
others about the State Capitol. The
resolution greatly tends to add to the
efficiency of the organization of this
board. and that no partisanship what
ever viii be tolerated by the commits
sion, has gained for the new depart
ment many friends
The expedieney of this action, may
well be seen in that the new commits
sion have before them the task of dis
rensing to the different counties in
the State the $2,0D0,oO0 bond issue. to
be used in the building of an inter
locking system of highways. That this
duty would have been greatly hindered
by the reorganization of the commits
sion, at this time, along strict party
lines, and the precedent that might
have been set would have doubly intri-
Gated the action of the department in
future years. is surely express PROOF
Of the wisdom of the action.
AS the result of this action of the
commission they come into office with
q force Of men. upon whom they may
! depend to know the ms and outs OF
the State road work and know the
needs of the department itself. They
come fully prepared to begin at once
the intricate problem of establishing
throughout the State the new system
of State roads
With the coming of Paul d. Sargent,
| on Aug. IA, to assume the duties oil
! chief engineer. the commission will
! then start its work in earnest, with u
fun Office force. fully acquainted with
the work which is before the commits
sion.
/ In all probability, Lucius ID. Bar
rows, the former assistant highway
| commissioner will be retained to as
sist Mr.. Sargent. Mr. Allen the other
engineer in the office, who has been
there hut short time. will no doub;
stay with the commission. The ap.
rointment of former highway commits
sioner, Parker l.. Hardiscn, as acting
| chief engineer, carried out in part tn,
| non partisan program. and served as
| sreat help in the acquainting the new
commission with their duties.
The commission have already start
ed their inter locking system by tbs
designation of the following roads as
State highways;
State Highway "A" being the man
| Travelled route already under construe-
ton, extending from kitterv to Port :
/, land via York. 0gunquit, Wells, Ken
nebunk kcnnehuniSport, Biddeford
Saco. Scarboro. South Portland.
State Highway "A" being the main
Fryeburg over the main travelled route
via Bridgton. Naples. Caseo. Raymond,
Windham and Westbrook to Portland
State Highway C. extending from
Portland to Bath via what is known as
the Shore Road through Falmouth
Cumberland and Yarmouth, thence to
Freeport and Brunswick
Whether or not the distribution al
| the S2,000,000 fund will be divided be
tween the counties according to popu
| latlon of area is not known but it is
evident that the less frequented eoun
ties should have the more aid. in orde,
! To insure "A universal State Road Sys-
| TEN throughout the State.
The commission has also to dispenss
or aid in dispensing after the Governoi
/ and Council has apportioned the reg
ular yearly appropriation for State Aid
work. This will aid in the progress oil
, the work in the different towns even
while the inter-locking system con-
struction is in progress.
| The Post road from Bath to Port
! land. for which the federal Govern
ment gives $4,000 and the State $780,
! 600 Will probably be built of gravel and
Will make one of the finest roads in
Maine.
| These are only the big problems
, with which the new commission has
to cope and has made its start on :,
non partisan basis with the object in
view of Better roads for the State OF
Maine"