Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-29
J. H. COGAN co., Augusta.

construction, but this part Of the prob
lem cannot be properly considered until
the total amount applicable to one coun-
" is viewed as unit. When this is
done, then / believe that from the very
nature Of the case the average expendi-
ture will re reduced. because the de-
nands from each county will be such as
TO make this imperative
Il must admit, OF course, that the pro-
gram for the next two or three years is
seriously Handicapped because Of the
enormous expenditure for 1914. but that
does not. in my judgment, constitute a
sufficient reason for continuing the pres
ent method. AS l have said before, We
have begun this matter wrong and the
only thing now TO do is 10 start again
and start right.
Let Us take, for example, my OWL
county, that of Cumberland. Under any
fair and equitable division Of the total
bond issue. Gun. COUNTY il en-
tiled to somewhere between $3.50 an
recognized and that limit set Up for Cum
beriand county, the main arteries Of that
county should lie viewed as an aegre-
gate to be improved in the most prac-
teal manner possible with the remaining
funds. Of course the handicap OF the
present large expenditure between Port
land and Brunswick is again apparent.
but that handicap does not Justify the
officials in charge Of this money with
proceeding with these expenditures in
Cumberland county without any regard
whatever as to the ultimate expenditure
there. The road from Saco to Portland
should have been built last year, and i.
could have been easily built at that time
together with the Brunswick road if the
county division Of money had been made
so that other counties in the State would
have been assured Of proper protection.
The road from Brunswick to Bath is an
other important one that requires i'm
provement. and the lines from Portland
toward Poland Springs and from Portland
to Bridgton should be borne in mind
When Cumberland county's appo-sion-
ment is arrived at, then these various
roads may be taken in their relative i'm
portance and treated in such a manner
as the funds warrant. We should not
permit our ardor for improving roads, to
drive US so fast that we fail to take a
broad, comprehensive view OF the whole
State
Reply by Files
In reply to the suggestions made by
Mr.. Nelson for a new and definite ap-
portionment plan, Prof. Files first COM
mended Mr.. Nelson for his conception OF
the bond issue plan as adopted in Maine
and declared it the cleverest of all high
way funding plans. He took exceptions
to Mr.. Nelson's plans for equitable dis
tribution, however. declaring that the
present policy is the better one. He said
that the funds should not be distributed
for the highway system is based on other
than conditions of population, wealth and
traffic within section: the whole State
must be viewed in order to understand
the highway apportionment plan and in
order to be able to make a proper dis
tribution of funds where most needed for
the betterment Of all communities and
the State as whole. Prof. Files ex-
pressed great satisfaction with the work
of the commission as it has been carried
on and is being carried on at the present
time.
Those Present
Among those present at the meeting
the following are perhaps best known
throughout the State: L. S. Senator
Charles F. Johnson Of waterviIle; Cong.
Daniel j. McGillicuddy Of Lewiston: ex-
Senator Obadiah Gardner, Rockland:
Mayor Robinson. Bangor: ]. p. Bass,
Bangor: Hon. Reuel Robinson, Camden;
Rep. Clarence Dutton, Bingham: Rep. A.
w. Piummer. Lisbon; Han. Taber Bailey,
Bangor; Charles S. Hichborn, Augusta;
Mayor viles, Augusta; Rep. Niles Per-
kins. Augusta; Rep. Tate Of Topsham;
Rep. Perham OF Woodstock; Senator
Price Of Sagadahoc; Rep. Morrison,
Eden: Rep. Harraden. Bath; Senator
Peacock Of Washington; Hon. E. c..
Plummer. Bath; Rep. Mulligan, Noble
boro; Prof. George T. lies, Brunswick
Besides those named there were present
at tine meeting about 30 citizens Of
Maine prominent in the life Of the State.
1T