Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-21
The Grange and Good Roads.

Ea,.nssr read the frequent utterances
of Prof. Files of Bowdoin college, in
favor Of mill tax to continue the So
called trunk line" scheme: and, hav-
ing read the opposition to the mill tax
and The favoring of bond issue plan
for the SANE purpose, by Hon. Lyman
II. Nelson, former chairman OF the
State Highway Commission, our read
ers will be increasingly interested in
the words Of Hon. w. J. Thompson.
State Master of the Grange, in his an
nual report. Mr.. Thompson said:
There is no subject on which wider
difference OF opinion exists ana
where greater criticism is offered to
those Working out the problem than
that of good roads. 1t goes without
saying that the farmer above all otn-
err classes is intensely interested and
greatly benefited by improved roads,
especially when such roads are rea-
sonably near his farm.
That there are two distinctly separ-
ate views of the road problem, and
consequently two sets Of people advo-
eating them, ia apparent to all.
First. the so-called trunk line sys-
tenn connecting the larger cities and
summer resorts and passing through
the scenic portions of our State. and
designed for automobile traffic.
Second, the market road connecting
the farm or factory with the mark
ct or shipping point.
That both of these schemes should
be worked out is very desirable. but
the order in which they should be
placed is the all-important question.
There has been laid out by the
highway commission about 1900 miles
OF road designated as the trunk line
system of which there has been built
in the past four years about 26O miles
1T a cost Of about $1,000 per mile on an
average.
This has been paid for by the ST.
100000 of bond money issued by the
State for the purpose. AS this money
is nearly all expended there will be
an effort at the coming session of the
legislature to pass a law placing a
mill tax upon all property Of the
State which would amount to $500, 900
per year, to be expended in contin-
uing the so-called trunk line road.
This would certainly be desirable
from the standpoint of the advocate
" the trunk line system, but to the
taxpayer in the back country town,
who is not directly benefited by this
road. and who has his own heavy bur-
dens to bear, it does not look so at
tractive.
The real problems of road building
are:
Where shall they be built?
Who shall pay for them?
What kind Of roads shall be built.
Are we getting the most for our
money?
From discussions and opinions that
l have heard expressed throughout the
rural sections Of our State, I believe
1t is the opinion Of this order.
That much larger proportion ~
road money should be for market
roads, connecting the farm and fac
tory with the market or shipping
point.
That II taxes are to be collected in
one community to be expended in an
oAer, tne weather community should
contribute to the poorer.
AHat the present system of trunk
me ana State aid roads are more
intensive than we can afford, with the
immense mileage We have.
Ihat much money could be saved
by building roads from the standno,nt
OF business rather than the standnoint
Of the engineer. '0-'
Inc road problem should he a hist.
ness problem and not an eneinear,n.
problem.
Many communities are observing O
good roads day and we believe -
would be we'll for each grange IN I.od
IN such movement, asking every ~.
10 contribute labor and money to the
cause. " 'he
And then. in the next breath M
Thompson said something on a .,,-
ject so intimately connected with the
good roads problem. and. speaking as
ne did for many thousands of pronertv
holders In the rural districts of Maine
must set the mill tax advocates and
the bond issue enthusiasts to thinking:
IN organized government there are
certain necessary public functions.
inc cost OF these functions must be
Dolho py public contributions in the
!orn OF q tax. Just what these func-
ions shall DO and how the cost shall
Do borne are the problems Of TAXATION
AS cost Of government increased and
new functions were added. the general
property tax became unreasonably
nigh ana now sources Of revenue have
been sought from time to time such a
uanchaee taxes. taxes on privileged
taxes on auhsE1tances, aud some state
as9 AIDING . tax on personal incomes.
x0srs ie no question but what in our
state We must very soon look for new
sources OF revenue or greater increase
our gensral property tax.
4 etAee Income tar should be cara
fully oonsaderod. Tho Law shou,d b.
repealed whereby moro than 100000
Of tie railroad and telephone frsn-
chise tex Il annually returned by the
state treasurer to.a few cities and
towns whsro the stock In such corpor-
atoms u owned.
We baltsve that tho SAVINGS depoaita
In Na&3onAl banks which amount "a
moro than $1s.ooo.0oo should be taxsd
as are similar deposits in trust COM
panies and savings banks. ana if taxed
would amount to moro than 100000 An.
nually.
s,r. In reading over some minutes Of a