Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-08

The committee on ways ana BfiG5S"
held a meeting. Friday afternoon, and,
While other legislators were hurrying
home for Sunday, listened to a bunch
Of appeals for aid for roads and
bridges IN the state. The committee
has vast amount of material to
work over. hence this overtime session.
The first matter taken up WAS the
kingman bridge $1,000 being asked for
repairs, although the committee was
told mat the town would be satisfied
with $500. This ease was presented by
representative Smith Of Patten and ID.
S Osgood of Kingman.
Tho request Ger a charter for toll
bridge in Rumford which is backed by
Waldo Pcttengill. is opposed by pro-
portion OF the citizens OF the town
who We're represented by Mathew Nc
Carthy of that town. Mr.. Pettengill ex-
planned that the bridge will cost about
S25, 900 and that the State, county or
town can take IT over al any time by
paying him the cost, 6 per cent. inter-
est and whatever taxes he has paid on
the structure. The bridge will be locat-
cd where the engineers deem best but
Mr. pettcngill naturally wanted ii
where ii would be convenient to the
farms on either side of the river which
he owns.
MIR Mccarthy called attention to the
fact that there is bill before this SEES
sion TO free toll bridge in the town
and he thought ii a peculiar circum-
stance that here should be another bill
for building toll bridge. He declared
that the town will build the bridge
when II gets To it and that the people
want 10 locate il themselves. Even If
the toll bridge is built il will doubt
less be eventually taken over hence
the people want to have that located
where II will convene the greatest
number. They We're also opposed to the
principle of toll bridge anyhow.
Mr.. Pettengll explained hat he
would he willing To have provision in
that charter that it should be void ii
before Sert. /, the people of the town
would vote to build, the bridgc them
selves. If ne put his money into a toll
bridge. however, he certainly wanted
to locate it where he pleased.
G. D. Thurston of Rumford favored
having a bridge built at Rumford Cen
ter rather than where Mr. Pettengil
wanted it and thought majority OF
the people wanted free bridge any
how and that one would be built when
the town got To it.
The town of Benton is asking for an
appropriation of $1,000 for repairs on
the Neck road, so-called and rhe case
was presented to the committee by
Hon. George G. Weeks of Fairfield.
F. :. Vail of Portland and Senator
Murphy of Cumberland appeared in ia
vor OF the act providing for charter
for a foot bridge from Long Island
TO Marsh Island in Casco bay. Mr.. Val
explained that the bridge would great
ly enhance the value of the property
on the island for summer homes. Plans
are being made for building costly
club house on. Marsh Island and max
ing it the headquarters for big yacht
club which would add greatly to the
summer business of Portland harbor
No money is asked from the State and
before built the bridge will have to be
approved by the federal government
and he city of Portland. All is asked
OF the Legislature is the States per-
mission TO build the bridge. Senator
Murphy endorsed what Mr.. Vail had
the brioge would serve many people
AID be of general benefit.
An appropriation of $3.50 for the road
from Roach river TO Grant Farm, one
OF $3.50 for the road from Seboomook Ia
Pittston Farm and $1,000 for the Scurd-
rahunk road. George Stearns of Mill
nocket appeared in behalf of the re-
solves and explained that the Great
Northern Paper Co. had expended
large sums on these roads. which arr
used by n large number of lumbermer
and Vacationists. They serve a large
territory and are in Il section that is
inst beginning to he developed. They
are a part of the trunk line system
of the State and are greatly in need oi
repairs.
Parker l.. Hardison, State highway
commissioner, explained about the de-
fciency of S221G.25 on the Van Buren,
bridge. This bridge was built by tho
State Of Maine and the Dominion o'
Canada at cost of $S5, and the
balance due is on contracts thar Were
made directly by the State. Canada
has paid all of her share. but the bal
ance against Maine has been dragging
for the past two years.
Representative Peacock Of Readiield
| appeared in behalf Of the appropria
| ton of $4,000 for repairs on the iono
road in Rcadfeld. This is the road thai
| has been closed To automobiles, an at
| tempt being made at his session tt
to have the restriction removed
The town claims that the road is no
safe for automobiles in its present con
dition and that IL it is opened to then
| the State should assist in its repai n
| Much of the ground was gone over
n praviouc heo ring nj which the cues