Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-21
TRUNK LINE
Continued from Page One)

for the River road. The autoists. who in
the end will pay the bills, use the River
road the most More farmers are bene-
fitted, because more reached Same with
the people seeking markets for their
produce Hundreds of non-residents also
come annually to the kennebec and they
will all benefit by this location. espe-
cially the summer colonists at the Rich
mond Campgrounds, Cedar Grove in
Dresden and at other points on the river.
The beautiful scenery of the kennebec
and Merrymeeting bay were too yell
known as one of the States best assets
to be dwelt upon. and scenery is always
legitimate argument for road loca-
ton The River road is convenient for
the tourists, hotels. garages, ETC., being
plenty and convenient. Talk of building
others on the Post road was bosh. An
all-night ferry between Richmond and
Dresden was a great convenience and
hundreds of parties were obliged,
through the not running of the steam
ferry at Bath through the night to go to
Brunswick and then up the river to
to Rockland and other points to the
eastward.
The valuation of the property along the
routes was largely in favor of the River
road and the taxes paid correspondingly
proportionate. The River people. paying
more, should be considered.
The published statement that it would
cost 500 900 more to build this route was
absolutely falAe. Practical road builders
have been over the road and assert that
even should it cost some more the adj
yantages of the River road will more
than offset the other. Gardiner already
has started it's State aid road on the
river line toward Richmond. Judge At
kins closed by saying that he knew that
neither politics nor sentiment entered
into the case and that the commission
would decide it fairly and squarely in
the interests of the people
Judge Harrie Weber of Auburn Of
fered a draft of the roads and the pro-
posed changes. which was given prom
inent position.
The Silent Vote
t.ounse, Charles ID. Newell of Rlch-
mond here suggested that this was
good opportunity to allow the silent
vote, tn he recorded and called upon
all those in the audience who were In
favor of the River route for the Trunk
highway location to arise in their
places. I'D rose fully three-quarters OF
the great audience. and among them
1.-The Silent vote"-a goodly sprlnkllng
of ladies'. who had come from along the
kenncbec to add their testimony IN
its favor. 1t was really pretty as
we'll as a unique sight at such an oc-
casicn.
Topsham and Bowdoinham
Counsel E. c. Plummer of Bath be-
gan the presentation of evidence from
Topsham and that part Of Bowdoinham
from the village to Topsham. He stat
ed that his clients thought that to
put the State road over the Ma1lett
road was a grave injustice to them.
Topsham having already spent over
SIS, 900 on the road toward Bowdoin-
ham. Should the Post road go through,
Topsham loses the benefit Of this out
Law made in the expectation that the
road would surely be located, along
that route. An elaborate culvert had
also been constructed near farmhouse
hill. on the commissions own plans
and requirements. understanding that
to be the route. Topsham had also
spent $500 on the Cathance road, with
the same understanding, and the same
amount on Muddy River road, where
there had for years been little travel,
but where, with the certain promise
of renewed prosperity for Bath, call
ing for the early rebuilding of the ia
nous Merrymeeting Bay bridge, would
again be much used.
The Hunter and Luce gravel pits,
about q. and miles from Bowdoin-
ham had the finest Kind Of road-build-
ing material and the owners will turn
them over for use in the work. The To-
cation is handily available and the cost
Of securing will be minimum. Plenty
Of rock awaits the taking at Hender-
sons place over $4,000 tons of field
spar waste, fine for roads. can be had
for the asking.
Massachusetts,, as is we'll known, has
built many miles of the finest high
ways and development has followed.
They have opened up some beautiful
sections and scenery but the finest of
the Berkshire scenery cannot touch
the beauties Of the kennebec and
Merrymeeting bay.
The fundamental principle is to give
direct service. Nearly all the motor
lists travel the proposed River route.
Looking into the Case
Inquiry Of the commission was an
swered to the effect that the cost Of
the gravel from the pits mentioned
would not be over 10 cents, the owners
being willing to accept the States
price.
Judge Weber. inquiring if these
were the only pits along the route,
was told there were plenty more, one
Of which would be passed directly
through by one of the proposed pieces