Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-02

Prof. George T. Files
Reviewing the conclusions of the
Statewide Good Roads Committee in
discarding another possible bond is
sue" Prof. George T. Files, president
of the Maine Automobile Association,
declared: IF we want bonds we must
be willing to pay the interest money.
We cannot escape the issue, and the
longer the bonds continue, the greater
must be the burden of debt which the
people Of Maine must consent to bear.
Furthermore it is suicidal for us to for
get two or three facts:
Il. That when we have spent this
sc, 900, 900 or $4,000, 900 our work is only
partly accomplished.
SO. That the division Of road con-
struction into permanent features and
| temporary work is interesting to an
ticipate but would be exceedingly diff
ficut to attain. 1t is at best little more
than an attractive argument on which
to establish the validity of long term
bonds.
"3. That the great question Of prop
err surfacing and caring for the surface
is not problem of construction at all
but a problem of maintenance. And
this vital and everlasting problem OF
maintenance remains eternaliy with
us and for it we must provide with
liberal hand.
From the standpoint of dollars and
cents we must instantly recognize the
fact that the longer any issue of bonds
runs, the greater becomes the aggre-
gate cost. For example an issue of So
100000 in serial bonds issued to run SO
wears will ultimately cost the State
6O9O. 900 in interest alone, or in other
words, we should be obliged to pay
more in interest than we received from
the total issue of outstanding bonds.
Furthermore, this same issue ex-
tending over a period of 80 years will
cost the State $2,400,000 in interest
money.
But the great and incalculable danger
lies not in the fact that we are paying
an enormous annual charge for inter
est and retirement fund, but that when
we have spent over $6,0o0,00O ana
supplementary added sum of $3,S0O,Ooo
which might possibly be added from
other revenues of the State, this to-
tai Of $9,SO0OO0 will place upon the
State the following burdens in annual
fixed charges: /. Annual interest and
ret. fund Cloth issues s325,000; 2. Main
tenance on roads at least. 100000. To-
tai, s1,225,00O.
Now with this fixed charge upon our
hands what have we accomplished and
where arc we? Let us see.
The s4,5OOoOo will build from 800 to
900 miles of State road. Good! The
trunk lines will be completed or nearly
so.
But-and here is the fatal but-what
about the market roads? Let us see,
again.
The $4,000 900 will have built-with
great care-apr 1000 to $500
miles of market road at a cost of ap-
prcximately $4,000 to $500 per mile.
But our State possessed over s23, 900
of such roaods-a great portion of
which need attention and DEVELOPMENT.
Here. alas. is the stumbling block to
the bond issue plan unless the amount
is sufficient to warrant at least some
attention ultimately to the great hulk
of the country roads, the develonment
OF which means the ultimate economic
development of our State. With an an
nual fixed charge upon us such as is
given above, the State will wait MANY
a day before it votes even to continue
the small sum of $1,000 which if now
grants to the towns to aid them in To-
cal highway work
Under such conditions as these.
therefore. is it not infinitely wiser for
US to decide definitely:
First. that we will not touch this
small sum of 100000 which we give
to the farmer for his roads. Rather LET
US increase this-as the mill tax plan
lproposes-and look forward to the day
"nen proper system and coordination
Will bring the result which time alone
can bring.
second, that we will not touch another
.eH' Oh our invaluable automobile tax
income Ihat fund is an asset to us of
4hcdicuiaple worth. for 1t provides an
eVer-lncreasing asset to offset the ever
increasing maintenance cost which, m
der any system of construction, wha,ev.
er 1t may be-will increase on our hands
by leaps and bounds.
| Third, that we will finally vote az .
body and as state to be liberal ui.h
ourselves in our highway approximations
but only SO liberal as we can afford ana
when the day comes 10 or Is years benoo
we can see what we have done, we shall,
nave more money to spend, and there
will be no burden Of debt to DISCOURAGE
US from any and all further attemnts AZ
road building.
IN contrast to this method the State
"ioe committee have adopted as its So
luton for our road problem the mill tax
Plan the chief features of which are
clearly set forth in the bill which has
already been introduced before the Leg
! islature.
In other words. our State roads would
oe practically completed as they are nov
laid out. III"
we should have completed some 1900 Of