The Republican journal., 1916-12-28
SHALL MAINE CONTINUE
+. HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION?
The Most Feasible Method of Raising
Funds for That Purpose
ev PROF. GEO. T. FILES

and a cOnSluSIdUle pOill0u OF tllS
sum has already been anticipated for
work contracted but not yet COM
pleted. What shall we now do to
provide sufficient funds for the con-
struction of our highway. work?
Something must be done, and that too,
have SO splendidly begun may be COM
pleted without undue loss of time
One thing is sure-and sure beyond
any reasonable doubt-and that is
that the people of the State of Main.
will never consent to go back to the
'pennywse and pound foolish policy
of the days before 1913. We have
taken a long stride in advance-side
by side with the other states in our
nation-in this problem of highway
improvement, and we shall not now
hesitate or halt in our progress; much
less take any backward steps, We, in
common with other sister states,
recognize the unquestioned value OF
good roads and have begun to gather
in the economic returns from "a wise
and well managed system of highway
construction. We are likewise con-
scious that the general plan under
which we have been working during
the past four years, has been sound
and sane; it has brought us definite,
visible results, commensurate in every
sense with the money expended. This
work, so well begun, must now be car
rfed to successful completion. The
only question that now remains to be
solved is "How?" This is a prob
lem of the immediate present which
concerns every citizen in our state
The development of our secondary
system of roads for the agricultural
and rural communities is safe. $500, U00
is available annually, under our pres
ent plans, for this purpose, This
money should neither be touched nor
diverted to any other purpose.
How, then, shall we raise the sum
of approximately 100000 annually for
period of six, eight or ten years in
order to complete the trunk highways
of our state. Our bond issue yielded
about 100000 annually. 1t is now
spent. What method of substitute
shall we adopt to continue this an
nual income. Failure to devise some
adequate plan will inevitably throw
us back into the chaos and waste of
earlier years.
Various plans have been suggested,
for example: -frst, the reissuing Of
the bonds as they are retired, from
our present bond issue; second, a new.
general issue capitalized, as regards
interest and retirement charges, on d.
rect taxation; third, direct block ap-
preparation by our Legislature of, say,
100000 annually and there are other
suggestions which have been ad-
vanced.
Each and every one of the above
plans is open to some serious objec-
ton, even at first glance The whole
question will be thoroughly threshed
out, during the coming weeks, and
each plan will receive it's careful and
due consideration.
During the last few weeks, however,
popular opinion and popular choice
has been focusing very strongly on
an entirely different and perhaps more
rational plan. This plan is to con-
tinue our construction by means of
funds raised from the proceeds of a
mill tax, which would yield annually
about 100000. which is very nearly
the sum which we could eXpend an
nually with the greatest economy.
The plan is ideal. 1t furnishes a de-
finite and continuous means of pro-
viding the funds which we need
The reasons for supporting this pro-
posed plan are many-too many in
fact to be debated at length here.
But some of the more important rea-
sons may be briefly mentioned
First, as in the case of our schools
which are supported by similar tax,
the charge for construction and main
tenance of roads is a fixed charge.
They are always with us-both of
them-and need constant develop
ment and care. Hence they should
both be developed and maintained
from source of revenue which is
iSSdAtA, SoiiolelLt anu dCililLcly uet6T-
mined in advance. Otherwise the
work of both becomes scrappy and ir-
regular. The mill tax yielding
regular annual revenue to be devoted
to highway construction will render
it possible to definitely determine the
highway policy of this state for. ten
or twenty years to come. Any plan
which would make the granting of
necessary funds dependent upon the
whims and exigencies of biennial
legislative assembly, is doomed to diff
ticulty in advance.-and, in all prob
ability to failure.
Second: A public building, a public
bridge, or any great and lasting pub
lie Improvement may fairly be looked
upon as a permanent improvement for
fifty, one hundred, or two hundred
years to come and may be Justly con-
structed from the proceeds of a heavy
bond issue. Our posterity will share
with us in the benefits and may we'll
be doomed to contribute to the ex-
pense. Public highways, at first
glance, seem to come under the same
category, but when viewed in proper
modern perspective, are entirely diff
ferent. The life Of even the finest of
t.