Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-21

both routes but put the River Toau -,
the lead. He also said Those eraoe
crossings have long been a menace anu
a terror to all. Here is the first op-
portunity I've seen to eliminate tnem'
and let's do it. That Is strong arsu-
ment with me for the River road.
The Afternoon Session
Tho afternoon session adjourned
from 1920 to 1.20, got under way a.
1910. Mr.. Deering Of the commission
was unable to be present, owing 10
sick headache, and Col. Aver presloeu'
Counsel Newall introduced a state
ment from the Turner Center cream
ery. showing that it's business over the
Post road was yearly $5642.So anu over
the River road over $4,000.
George Thompson of Bowdoinham
had counted over 100 autos passing MS
River road home in one day. ire
quent occurrence.
Counsel stated that Father Carey OF
Hallowell, with church also IN Hlch-
mond, preferred the River route. Har-
nv Powers, River road in Bowdolnnam,
would state he knew of the mentioned
gravel pits. Selectmen had put out
little money on his road and had post
ed notices telling people to take the
other road.
Counsel Atkins said Harry Law
renee Of South Gardiner would state
that he would give all the gravel need
ed from his gravel pit; also his land
needed for the new roads and get the
other owners to do the same.
Mr.. Newell introduced schedule of
the property Of the GO families on the
Post road, taken from the town BOOKS
amounting to s47.745, assessed value,
and Of 146 families on the River road
amounting to $52O50.
Route West Of the Pond
Judge Harrie Weber. representing
a third route. passing to the west OF
Pleasant pond, claimed it was shorter
and would accommodate more people.
The scenic beauty cannot be excelled
and If was the most desirable and
feasible route.
J.F. Buker of Bowdoin declared that
the road west Of Pleasant pond was
the most direct of any route proposed
between Gardiner and Brunswick, that
it was 2-10 miles shorter than the
River route, and l Clio miles shorter
than the Post road. He believed that
it was a much easier road to drive on
and the conditions were such that the
State construction would be easy. He
remarked that more than $31 900 worth
Of tonnage from Bowdoin alone goes
over this road annually.
s. w. Nelson, road commissioner of
Bowdoin, declared that there were
plenty Of gravel pits along the line on
the west side of the pond. None Of the
gravel. he believed, would have to be
hauled very far for any of the seven
miles through BoWdoin.
r. w Shelton Of Litchfield said there
were Is roads on the west and 10 or
the east emptying into the proposed
State road west of Pleasant pond, and
then struck a whole network of roads
out beyond. He said if he couldn't get
the road west Of the pond, he would
favor the Post road. Arthur Niles and
f. P. Springer of Litchfield testified as
to the great quantity Of gravel easily
obtainable.
j.. p. Springer. selectman Of Litchfield
gave 40 houses, 100 people and $4,000 val
uation on this route. Would benefit his
town and clear through to division. Onl,
two hills in six miles. Had an 1S-foo
bridge at Rings Corner, a 4O-footer a,
West Gardiner and one at New Mills.
Com.-Would town be willing to re-
build a bridge Of concrete according t.
| commissions plans? ''Think they would
And he told the story of the man who
on an important matter. outlined his po
sition by saying: eff it comes my way
l will; if not. I'm if will
Answering Mr.. Newell. said town would
stand her share of the 4O-foot bridge $500
expense: same at Robinsons. Corner and
had got to rebuild it anyway in few
years; town would spend $4,000 or $12 OO
for roads in east part of town, not ben
efitting rest. if needed.
Counsel stated J. W. Lunt would hav.
stated amount of building from Litchfielt
to Gardiner.
The West of the Pond Route
Judge Weber spoke briefly in favor Of
the route west of the pond. Said a motto
in the highway commissions office reat
to the effect that THE Maine highwa.
system is laid out to accommodate the
greatest number of people, with the leas
mileage" That meant his route. Didn'
agree with SOME of the statements made
in favor of the River road and urged
giving it to the people who pay the take.
and not the transients and outsiders
Hope you won't be carried off your feel
by these shoemakers and others from
Richmond"
The Post Road Route
Counsel c. E. knight for the Post Road
route supporters said his clients were
almost all farmers and it was rather diff
ficult for them to attend, but they had
turned out well. They had attended ir
full force the other hearing and thei,
evidence as then submitted and now ir
the hands of the commission would stand
now. for it was just and the proof of the
superiority of the route selected by the
commission-the Post Road route.
He had several petitions for that route
Called attention to the beautiful scenery
of Pleasant pond, with it's scores of cot.
tages. and to the s245, 900 valuation on the
Post road and feeders. Tonnage figures
of the Post road from various places
Said the old Post road was four rods wide
and straight. with plenty of gravel for
building, in Gardiner, Richmond and
Bowdoinham Submitting may showing
the farms on the route, he read letter