Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-03
IMPORTANT MEMORIAL
Continued from Page One)

nize with appreciation the great and inn
portant work that you have undertaken
in behalf of the State Of Maine, in re-
constructing the highways Of this State.
We realize that the purpose of the new
highway law is the construction of high
ways that shall be safe and convenient
for modern travel, and your efforts will
undoubtedly be directed toward the wild
ening and Strengthening of our roads,
the removing of dangerous curves and
unduly steep grades; and while We admit
that these things are most vital in the
| work you have undertaken, we beg re-
| specially to invite your attention to an
| other subject in this connection. which
appears to US to be one of great import
ance We mean the preservation of trees
along such highways as shall come with
in the scope of your operation.
In every other country but our own,
tree planting goes hand in hand with
road building. With Us, however, it has
too often meant tree mutilation or de-
struction. If We had given care to the
trees that our ancestors planted, or TO
those that nature so lavishly bestowed
upon US, your petitioners would not now
|
| We have deplored the lack of attention
paid to the preservation of trees hereto
fore by the public service corporations
notably the telephone and telegraph COM
panies-and the fact that they have fire.
quently run their lines quite regardless
| of mutilation and injury To tree growth.
And also, in the construction OF the high
ways heretofore, this matter has received
scant attention by those in authority.
Under the present law, it appears that
your commission has complete power in
the expenditure of all State funds used
for highway construction and mainte-
nance, and that thus you are the one
body in the State whose influence can
best be exerted toward the preservation
of trees
We therefore most respectfully pray
that. in laying out your plans for the
| construction of your trunk lines or
State highways" so-called, you will
| endcayor to preserve the tree growth
wherever possible.
While it is true that the straight
road is the safest for travel it is far
from being the most picturesque; and
we believe there will be many in
l.
reasonable safety of travel may be
| maintained. and the beautiful shaded,
curving roads of our Ctate also pre-
| served.
You also have the power, in the con-
struction CT the great system of State
aid roads. to follow out a similar
! line of procedure, and thus exert a
Widespread influence upon all the
towns Of the State in the construction
of those roads over which you do not
have jurisdiction.
1t would be the source of the utmost
satisfaction to your petitioners if your
commission would definitely adopt a
policy IN line with the suggestions
herein contained. Such a policy would
be particularly effective if your COM
mission will instruct its corps Of high
way engineers, in stalking out the pro-
posed improvements, constantly to
bear in mind the preservation of the
trees. and endeavor to have an eye to
the beauty of their results in road
building, as we'll as the safety to the
public.
Many trees, and groves. of unusual
beauty, which lend their individual
charm to our scenery, yet remain;
and their fate it will be in your hands
to determine. Wherever possible TO
bring these within the view of the
traveller, we hope YOU will do SO.
Wherever possible to save theul-even
by the deviation of a contemplated
straight road-we hope you will do so.
| Where the trees come close TO the
travelled road, and there are 70 dan
eerous curves, we hope you will per-
| nit them to remain.
Apart from the beauty of the trees.
there is an economic value as well, in
the shade they give, the protection to
the road surface from blowing away,
| the protection afforded by their roots
to the road-b bed itself. Furthermore,
the trees. when once destroyed, long
years and money cannot replace.
We therefore most respectfully pray