Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-03

hardship to the helpless unfortunates
whom the State is bound to care for
From strictly business point Of view
the delay from 1915 to 1916 has been
expensive. Cost of materials and la
Dor have increased largely in the years
time and will add very much to the
expense of the proposed alterations
and renoVations.
Good Roads
There is very little difference of
opinion about the wisdom of continu-
ing the construction of State roads.
The next Legislature will have to de-
eide how to raise the money. That Is
the only real chance for controversy.
Personally | believe that we should
pay as we go, levyins a tax of one mill
for the purpose of new construction
and leaving the revenue from auto
mobile licenses to pay the existing
bonds as they come due and pay for
the maintenance of the State roads.
And while on this subject let me
take this opportunity to correct an
error in my recent speech at Orono
before the U. of NJ. Republican Club.
Referring incidentally to my own SER
vice for one term on the committee on
State Lands and State Roads I had In
mind the session at which State aid
to towns was made available on
large scale. This was the session Of
1909, not the session of 1907 as I in
correctly stated. I was not intending
TO refer to the session Of which I was
a member, Though not member Of
the committee) at which the first State
aid bill was passed, but to the next
session. at which the amount avail
able was increased from one-third Of
mill to three-quarters of a mill on
the valuation bf the State. This law
passed in 1909 as an amendment to
the law of 1907. made available about
$4,000 annually for State aid to
towns in building roads, beginning
with 1910.
State Aid for Construction Of Bridges
One of the serious inequalities be-
tween different towns and cities is the
expense of building large bridges The
necessity for these bridges depends
upon the natural location of the town
or city and Is not at all in proportion
to the valuation and resources. To
meet similar conditions in the mainte-
nance of roads and schools we have
established the principle of systematic
State aid for these purposes, thus dis
trbuting the burden over the whole
property of the State including the
wild land IN unorgan;zed townships.
Il am in favor of the adoption of a
similar principle with reference to the
construction n large bridges and did
what / could towards that end during
my legislative service.
You may not be aware that bill
embodying this principle of State aid
ir the construction of large bridges
was passed by the legislature of 1915,
subject to a referendum clause. which
submits the matter to a vote Of the
people at the regular election next fall.
This bill provides that in cases where
the cost of building or rebuilding a
bridge on a main thoroughfare in any
town or city would make a tax rate Of
more than five mills on the valuation
Of the city or town if added to other
moneys raised for construction and re-
pair of ways, highways and bridges.
the cost of construction shall be
borne 30 per cent. b the town or city,
so per cent. by the county and 20 per
cent. by the State.
The details of this bill may not be
Just in accordance with your judg-
ment / am not sure that they are in
accordance with mine. I believe, how
ever. that the general principle Of
State aid in construction of bridges
should be endorsed by a favorable vote,
on this bill in September. Experience
will show what amendments need to
he made. We can safely trust future
Legislatures to make the necessary
amendments"