Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-07
What the Automobile Has Done for
Maine.

What the Automobile Has Done for
Maine.
During the last five years nothing
has done more for Maine than the au-
tomobile, and it may not be saying too
much to say that the automobile has
done more than any other agency to
awaken the people of Maine to the
possibilities of the State.
In an afternoon now one may see as
much of a county as ones grandfather
saw in lifetime, and in the course
of a summers automobiling one may
see more Of the county in which one
| lives and more of the surrounding
country than it was possible for any
one to see in less than a lifetime of
almost constant travel until within the
last decade.
And seeing Maine is to admire. 1t is
difficult to imagine mans going for a
ride in any county in Maine without
returning better pleased with the
State. OF course. road conditions are
not always what they should be, but
automobiling has impressed this fact
upon the people of the State SO strong
ly that they have passed legislation
beginning an excellent highway sys-
tenn. The automobile is to be thanked
not only for bearing the expense of
the two million dollar bond issue, but
also for the legislation which caused
it to be made Automobiles inspired
the legislation and automobiling
awakened the people Of Maine to the
need of good highways. not only for
the use of automobiles but for COM
merical purposes as we'll and for the
use of all manner of vehicles.
The automobile is a powerful influ-
ence in bringing about development
in the State. One can hardly ride
half day in any direction without
seeing an opportunity for development
of some sort and, though action does
not always follow, an afternoons ride
for pleasure often results in some new
industry. large or small.
In short, the automobile is acquaint-
ing maine with her people and that is
all the great State needs; to know
Maine is to love her. Wherever you
ride you will see things to admire,
RI q IN
prise. Until you have ridden through
the heart Of the Belgrade country,
through the region Of the Rangeleys,
in and about Jackman, under the
shadow of Maine mountains and
through the deep Of Maine forests, you
do not know the full possibility Of
self and to Maine to see the State in
the intimate way you can from the
seat of an automobile.
Until you have ridden along Maine
rivers and seen the great water pow
ers, you do not realize what vast de-
velopment is imminent here. An occa-
sional fleeing glimpse Of concrete
dam as seen from a car window is
not nearly so convincing as ride
along the course of great river dam
med every ten or fifteen miles to pro-
duce great power.
When you hear your friend tell of
Maine timber. you think it must be
wonderful; but when you ride through
the great forests Of the northern
section of Maine you begin to feel an
awe of the forest greatness and tax
your mind in an effort to comprehend
the full meaning Of 10000 square miles
of forest lands. You know there are
splendid farms in Maine, but your
knowledge is as nothing compared
with what you do not know IL you have
not ridden in an automobile through
the famous farming districts of Maine.
For Maine man who has an interest
in the State ride through the fertile
| Aroostook section is more to be desir-
ed than a trip to Europe in times Of
peace
1t cannot be gainsaid, the automobile
is powerful factor in the develop
| ment of Maine and a wise use of this
modern means Of getting about the