Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-07-29
Editors Letter Box
Maine's Bad Roads.

For upwards Of so years, have been a
resident of Augusta. 1 know Of no bet
ter place in which to live, and shall con-
tinue to retain my residence there. Re-
Gently the demands of business have
caused my absence for a considerable
part of the time, but I always look for
ward with pleasure to my frequent visits.
/ have just returned from two weeks
visit to Maine. During my stay there, 1
was obliged on several occasions to drive
over the North Belfast road for dis
tance of seven miles from Augusta. where
l have for several years owned summer
camp. This was the only main thorough
fare leading from Augusta over which I
travelled; but if this road is a sample OF
the roads communicating with the out
lying districts, their condition is shame
and a reproach to every citizen. This
North Belfast road has for 10 years past
been in deplorable state; but never have
known it to be in it's present wretched
and disreputable condition There has
apparently been no effort whatever to
maintain even ordinary repairs; the
water-courses on the hills are in the mid
die of the supposed highway, exposing
stones and boulders; the ruts IN places
are so deep and numerous that it is al
most impossible to get an automobile
through. to say nothing of the comfort
of the occupants of the car The road
shows absolute indifference and neglect.
An illustration of this is the fact that
guard rails on one portion OF the road
which cost three or four years ago not
less than $500 and. which could be made
practically as good as new by an expendi-
ture of $40, are being suffered to fall
over and decay.
1t is inconceivable that officials would
knowingly permit such a condition; the
Inference is that those whose duty 1t Is to
patrol the highways are lax in the ex-
trere Any person wishing to apply Sc
we're measures could with certainty obtain
an indictment against the city as the con-
dition of this road is nothing short or
criminal.
And I wonder II my neighbors know
what they are suffering, not only for the
present. but for all future time by neg
lecting the highways? In many parts OF
the East and the middle West one hears
Maine roads spoken of with derision. Re-
peatedly during the past two years have
I had it dinged into me that our roads
are a snare and drlusion; men VINO
heretofore have made annual visit to
Maine have repeatedly said to me that
they are going elsewhere on account or
better roads. Even our sister state,
New Hampshire, is daily detracting
revenue from us by reason Of her much
better highways.
This obviously neglected North Belfast
road. which is the cause Of this protest
from me, would under less abnormal con-
ditions be a better feeder to the business
of Augusta than any of its many avenues
Of approach. Any business man knows
that the territory to the east and north
east of the city-territory logically trbu-
tory to Augusta-has possibilities of tre
mendous advantage; and the people Of
that locality are daily going to other cit
les in the State and away from Augusta
for no other reason than because OF the
disgra ceful condition Of this highway.
The automobiles are the harbingers Of
| better roads-that they are also the
cause, as is the case under criticism Of
much damage to uncared-for highways Is
not to be gainsaid; bot far more re-
sponsible is the fact that our roads after
having once been put into good condition
are ignored and forgotten. and absolutely
neglected so far as ordinary up-keep and
maintenance are concerned.
We must face the fact that automobiles
have come to stay, and we must come to
realize that the expenditure Of thousands
of dollars upon a stretch Of road. as was
the case recently on the road in question
is not the ultimate act but simply pro-
vision for an enduring good road II pc
riodical attention ensues.
Should I arouse the criticism that am
indulging IN platitudes. I have no apology,
! Matters in evidence are often times so
self-evdent that evidently they are
overlooked
| Assuring you Of my undiminished loyal
ty, and thanking you for your courtesy, I
remain,
A. W. BROOKS.