Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-21
Delegation of 600

The hearing opened at 10 o'clock in
the morning, after the arrival of a
special train of II cars from Tops
ham, bringing 500 to 500 people from
Topsham, Bowdoinham, Richmond.
ing towns, while hundreds of others
came by electrics and private convey
ances. The full board of the commits
sion was present, Lyman H. Nelson.
VIM. NJ. Aver and Philip j. Deering,
also Chief Engineer Paul Sargent.
The counsel in attendance were E.
{. Plummer of Bath, W. c. Atkins of
Gardiner, c. D. Newell of Richmond
and S. L. Fogg of Augusta for the
petitioHeIS LOT cIanSe 10 the hen-
nebec river route, c. f. Knight of Car
diner for the Post road location sup
porters and Harrie and George c.
Weber of Auburn for the petitioners
for a change to a route west of the
Rleasan pond.
Judge Atkins Opening
The commission stated that it would
start with the understanding that each
side should have 100 hours. exclusive
of the arguments, in which to present
statements and evidence. Judge W. {.
Atkins opened the case for the River
road petitioners. He outlined the man.
ner in which the matter had reached
its present status, the commission
having first adopted the Middle route,
later changing to the Post Road route.
the last being decided unsatisfactory
to the people Of Richmond. South Gar
diner. BoWdoinham and Topsham. The
road as laid out from Augusta to Gar
diner is satisfactory, but from Gar
diner to Topsham is not.
Following the route from Topsham
by the Sagadahoc Fair grounds, he
noted that the beautiful location and
in Bowdoinham a large amount of re-
cent work on the State aid road, $500
Richmond and to a point just
sailing. Then at this point is found
two bad grade crossings on the Maine
Central, which by the building OF
about a third of a mile of new road,
west of the railroad track, would be
eliminated. In South Gardiner another
bad grade crossing would be eliminat-
ed by building a short piece of new
road. The new location was good, cas-
lily handled and the owners of the land
would donate most of the location.
while a great gravel bank was tight
at hand, from which the owner would
give all the gravel needed. The route
had been carefully Looked over and
the expense would not be great. The
Maine CentrarS attitude was not
known, but it was to presumed that
the elimination Of the grade cross
ings would be pleasing to the manage
ment.
The petitioners reasons for asking the
change were reviewed. The commission.
of course. were knowing to the advan-
tages of both routes. Some newspaper
talk had appeared telling Of the lack Of
road building material on the River
route. 1t is incorrect. Plenty OF mate
rial is within easy distance. Gravel has
been located that will meet the commits
sion's economical requirements. Quality
and quantity are of the best. The loca-
ton has excellent drainage, naturally So
Would practically take care of itself on
that proposition. We believe that the
necessary bridges and culverts can be
built at less expense than on the Post
road. Plenty of rock filling is in sight
The accommodation of the people, on the
theory that all roads should be located
so as to benefit the most people, called
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