Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-05

IA tn keep on with the work Of build
ing roads as q matter Of course. 1t Is
advisable to discuss the method OF
raising funds for this purpose, and ne
added to this his own belief that pub
lie opinion on the matter of road con-
struction has greatly changed In the
past few years. He said that the BOND
issue method is closed for the present,
except by an amendment to the Consti-
tuition. and that he believed that the
best method for getting this money was
the simple and direct method. that OF
direct taxation year by year.
He stated that he realized that tnere
are other methods, that some people
favor increasing the tax on automobiles,
but that he would not stop to discuss
these methods.
He said also that the mill tax Is not
scientific: that 1t has, however, WORK
ed we'll because Of the fact that any
extra tax has carried with 1t the tag
showing the purpose for which 1t was
to be expended. He then said that the
question Of convict labor In building
State roads should be considered from
two points Of view. First. the use OF
the convicts as a means of getting the
roads built, and second, as means OF
keeping the convicts employed.
His next topic was the adjustment
Of the grade crossings in Maine. He
stated that a good start has already
been made toward the removal Of this
public menace that there now exist 1900
such crossings and that the record Of
the past few months is warning suffi-
cient to any one of the vital need for
the removal of this danger to auto
tavelers. He said that signals have been
tried which work we'll, and that they
should be established wherever such
danger points exist, and that he hoped
that this issue would be taken up for
consideration in the near future. In
closing he said that we can hope for
increased funds for the purpose of road
building. and that he felt the import
ance of the work to be very great. His
address was generously applauded:
Hon. w. J. Thompson
The next speaker was Grand Master
W. ]. Thompson Of the State Grange
who stated that the question Of good
roads is vastly important to the farm
OF, Uut IudI Cuc pIlIldI lhtOtCSL 10 INV
in trunk lines, but In roads from the
farm to the city. He explained the
working of the district system which
was started and was supplanted later
by the town system of road construc-
ton in the country. He said that 1t
was always easy to get roads built IN
| the centers of wealth, but that 1t was
| difficult to build them in scattered or
| isolated communities. and he said that
the town system made it possible for
wealth to be taxed in order to aid the
poorer classes, that this was right and
+! fair, and that the mill tax if used for
the construction Of trunk lines will not
be popular with farmers as whole.
He stated that unless the roads are
| to be built throughout the country so
as to enable farmers to get from their
| homes to the cities the tax will not be
| popular with them, and that he be-
lieved a direct tax every two years
would be better. He said that he found
the building of State roads was too
intense" that 1t cost $105O to build
1900 feet of State road in his part of
the country, and remarked that IF a
man gave his wife $50 to buy an out
! fit and she spent $50 of 1t for a bon
net we would be likely to question her
good Judgment" In closing he stated
that he knows that farmers generally
do not feel like paying toward the
construction of trunk lines what they
want is roads from their farms to
! town.
Chairman Files reported that the
farmers got the benefit of all trunk
| lines, and added that in 10 years the
farmers all over the State will have
automobiles and will want to go long
err distances. He said that while the
trunk lines may not go through each
mans farm, they do traverse the finest
farming sections of Maine and that he
| believes they will give the mill tax
| their hearty support.
| j. j. Pooler of the Falmouth Hotel
spoke briefly, saying that his associa-
ton would be glad to do what they
could to help the cause along. and H.
| w. Kicker of the Poland Springs Ho-
tel spoke, saying that he believed that
the trunk lines should be built, and
paid for as they go along: that he does
not believe that any more bonds should
be issued. In answer to queries he
stated that he believed that about $25,
100000 a year was brought into the
State by tourists, and stated that not
over 80 per cent. is spent outside of
Maine by the hotel keepers for sup
plies Manager Wilbur Emerson of the
Augusta House said here that he did
not think over Is per cent. spent out
side would be the average for all ho-
tells in the State.
Chairman Files here called attention
to the fact that while less than $4,000
900 have been spent for the roads, the
statement had been made that around
$40, 00o,o 900 to $25.O00,000 year come in
with the tourists and stay here after
they go. and he asked the members if
they did not consider this pretty fair
returns for the money laid out.
Hon. John e. Bunker
Secretary of State John E. Bunker then
spoke briefly stating that the receipts
for auto taxes this year amounted to
$35S,o0O and that this amount will increase
next year as 1t has in past years. He