Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-11-11
State Highway Hearing.
A SPICY sEssIoN.--sIDR OR CENTER HIGH.
WAY BONE OF CONTENTION.

\
A largely attended hearing was held
at Rumford Saturday by the new State
state highway 60" from Auburn, pas,
the easterly shore of Lake Auburn.
thence through Turner village, Brettun's
Mills, Canton, Dixfield, Rumford Falls,
Rumford Center, Hanover, Newry,
Grafton, Upton to the New Hampshire
line.
II may as we'll be stated here that from
the northern end OF this proposed route
through Grafton and Upton no advo-
Gates appeared ut the hearing and a
decided sentiment prevailed that the
road should go to Bethel, thence follow
ing the westerly side Of the Androscog-
gin river to Gilead and enter New Hamp-
shire at Shelburna.
Attorney Lucian N. Blanchard Of
Rumford conducted the case for the adj
vocates of this eastern route, and put on
many witnesses from the towns of Rum
ford, Mexico, Dixfield, Peru, Canton,
Livermore, Turner and Auburn to testi-
fy to the advantages of this route. The
claims of this side to the controversy
were based largely upon connecting the
l. 'own of Rumford with the city of
Auuurn and also upon the large amount
OF improved road that Rumford had
already constructed that would become
a part of this state highway.
Attorney Clary Of Livermore Falls was
present with several witnesses opposing
the location as suggested and asking for
some changes in the town ut Livermore
TO include Livermore Falls.
The proponents of central Oxford
County route asked that the state high
way come from Portland by way of
Poland Spring, thence through Oxford,
Norway, Paris, Woodstock or Green
wood to Bethel. Attorneys Alton G.
Wheeler Of South Paris and Albert j.
Stesrns of Norway conducted the case OF
the central route advocated and stated
that they were not there to oppose the
eastern route except as it might delay or
prevent the building of central high
way through this county.
In very able aud eloquent address
Mr.. Wheeler pointed out that such
route was much more direct and con-
sequently less expensive 10 construct,
citing the example OF the engineers who
had already discovered the direct line
from the Atlantic seaboard to New
Hampshire when the Atlantic and ST.
Lawrence (uow the Grand Trunk) Rail.
way was located; stating that the market
and outlet of the people of central Ok
ford County is not at Rumford nor al
Auburn, but at Portland; that much OF
the tourist travel that brings thousands
of dollars annually into Maine ceuters at
Poland Spring, and from that point
makes the circuit Of the White Noun
tains, going or returning by this central
route that follows generally the line of
the Grand Trunk Railway from Poland
to Gorham and that the construction of
a state highway here would very greatly
increase this business; that it would be
q feeder to the many summer resorts OF
the county as well as accommodate many
more Oxford County people residing in
the towns on and adjacent to the route.
Col. Stearns stated that, ave are just
as selfish as Rumford-and no more So"
lie dwelt more upon the population and
valuation features of the controversy and
both attorneys as we'll as G. w. Q. Per-
ham, of Woodstock, who spoke ably in
favor of the central route, skillfully par
ried an adroit attempt on the part of
Hon. George d. Bisbee of Rumford, to
create a division in the Norway and
Paris ranks.
Owing to the very large amount of
time consumed by the advocates of the
eastern route, the time left for the GEN.
trail route to be discussed was short aud
many of those who went from this sec
ton were obliged to leave their oratory
unspilled, while those who spoke, Messrs.
Wheeler, Stearns, Wright, Gray and
Perbam, had to be brief, and the Others !
merely stood up to be counted. Norway
and Paris sent delegation of about
twenty five and Woodstock about forty.
Petitions containing the names of five
hundred or more voters favoriDg the !.
central route were presented and the
toner's adjourned in season to
make an automobile trip over part of ,
the proposed central route and took the .
afternoon train at South Paris for Port /
land. 1t is not likely that any decision |
will be made just yet and 1t is not i'm
possible that another hearing may yet
be had in this section of the county.
While the hearing was very spicy at
times, good feeling prevailed and it was /
even stated by some of the Rumford
advocates after the close thar both
routes ought to be located and built. !