Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-19
Editors Letter Box
The State Road
Editor kennebec Journal:

Editor kennebec Journal:
1 wish to state through the columns
of your paper, why the State road
should follow the post road, as now
laid out by the Highway Commission.
Let US take into consideration, first
that the Highway Commission has
studied these hoads carefully and in
diligently and have arrived at the con-
per place. Why, because it is the
shortest and most direct route. And
can be constructed for about $780, 900
cheaper than the other routes.
Now looking at the proposition. in a
business way and from a financial
point of view, is that amount not worth
saving, and with only 100000 of the
bond issue remaining. l say yes, and
believe every broad minded citizen
thinks so. BY following this road the
business class of people will avoid,
many accidents, by keeping away from
these blind railroad crossings, which
are very dangerous, and preventing
many serious accidents. The Post
Road is a four rod road and very easy
to construct, with abundant material
large item. in the construction Of the
road. The right theory of road i'm
| provement, is to so locate these state
! roads, as to connect the vast number
of farmers, with the final market, by
| the cheapest and most direct route,
and to so maintain such roads as to
give the best possible satisfaction to
all concerned.
| Are we doing it by locating it side of
| the river. No, because it is a one sided
affair." drawing traffic from only one
| side. And furthermore the citizens are
abundantly taken care of by the rail-
road, with stations all along the road
| from two to four miles apart and also
the Boston boat. it appeals to me they
are sufficiently cared for. And where
as the Post Road being the middle road
Of the three and drawing traffic two
miles each way, and taking into con-
sideration the people served and the
| tonnage carried which is very large, l
believe every thinking man and woman
will admit that this is the proper loca-
ton. Re-locations are practically con-
fessions of error, in the first location
they would rarely be necessary, fol-
lowing a careful and scientific study, of
the road needs of towns, from the
standpoint of the two factors named
above.
The scenery along the Post Road is
grand. Six miles southwest of Gardi-
ner surrounded by the beautiful farms
and woodlands of Richmond and Litch-
field, lies Pleasant Pond. along its
northern shore, the green fields and
acres of waving grain Of the fertile
Litchfield farms slope gently to the
waters edge, while the South shore
is sheltered by the rugged hills of Rich
mond, which tower high above it. The
view from these hills is beautiful and
presents to the beholder vast panora-
ma of the country for miles around.
From the placid lake far below. with
it's large colony Of summer cottages
scattered along it's shores. and its tine
hotel, the eye Wanders across to the
comfortable looking farmhouseS and
far beyond nearly a hundred miles
away, appear the White mountains.
with Mt. Washington rearing It's lofty
peak above them all.
While to the east can be seen, Mt.
Blue, Mt. Saddleback and many hills OF
less prominence. Come when one will,
be it in the springtime, when the open
ing foliage gives to the landscape the
daintiest tints of green and the air is
redolent with fragrant blossoms, pre-
scented to the delighted eye is such
picture as the hand of man cannot pro-