Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-05

sands of dollars annually in temporary
repairs upon the surface of our roads.
Now our people are beginning to learn
that through the main arteries Of
traffic permanent highways must be
constructed upon solid foundations and
thereafter maintained by constant
supervision. This advance in public
opinion is our most substantial return
| for the investment thus far made in
improved highways.
Public opinion Enthusiastically de-
mands continuance of the good roads
program. Upon this point all are
agreed. There is some difference of
opinion as to how much the State
should spend annually for permanent
highways and as to the wisest meth
Cd of raising the necessary funds. Your
chief consideration of this important
problem will be, therefore, in ccnnec-
! tion with the amount of revenue re-
quired annually for construction of
| State highways and the most equitable
method of assessing the necessary tax.
There are those who suggest the i'm
mediate construction of a complete sys-
tenn Of roads including trunk lines and
connecting market roads. This plan
millions of dollars within three or four
years. So great a burden would neces-
sarily be transferred in part to the
future by bond issue. Such a
program appeals strongly to the imag-
nation. In the near future we may
reach a point of development which
| would warrant its serious considCra-
ton At present, however the limits
imposed by labor conditions and the
equipment of our existing org2uization
permit rs to continue only at about the
current rate of State highway con-
struction.
Only 100000 is still availab bile from
the proceeds of State Highway Bonds
Beyond that point you must provide
new revenue at the rate of about $500 =
900 annually if the present program is
10 be continued. Shall this revenue be
provided by a further bond issue re-
curing an additional amendment to
the Constitution or by some form of
dlrect tax? In either case the tax
must finally be paid by the property Of
the state according to its valuation
The real question is whether an eX-
penditure of 100000 annually for per-
manent roads ought to he paid for out
OF annual revenues or deferred to the
future by means of bond issue I'm
questionably the bond issue offers the
easiest way out because it demands a
smaller immediate payment from the
public funds. But aside from the de-
lay involved by the necessity of Sc
curing constitutional amendment. T
urge you to consider earnestly wheth-
er further bond issue for an expendi-
ture OF this size is Unsuitable.
A study of the rapid per capita in
crease OF public debt in states and NH
inequalities in this country shows clear
ly the need of more self-restraint in
the use of public credit even for per-
manent and necessary improvements
In my judgment, a public bond issue
IS only Justifiable in case the proposed
expenditure for permanent improve
ment IS large in size compared with
the resources of the State and is nm
likely to recur at frequent intervals.
1t Is true that good roads properlv
constructed and maintained ought to
De permanent Improvement, but the
expenditure of 100000 is proposed as
an annual charge, not as single or
occasleral' outlay for this purpose
furthermore, this annual expenditure
- not large enough to constitute an
Improper burden upon the property of
the State in the form of a direct an
nual tax
l, therefore. urge you to provide nv
u!rect taxation for continuance Of State
highway construction at about the ex-
iouiis rate. AS compared with an or
ol1ary appropriation from the gener-
al fund. a mill tax offers two advant-
ages: 1t carries its own tag with if so
! that the nanrla
mated purpose Of the extra revenue and
1t affords those in charge of the nrac-
tlcal details of road construction rea-
Sohable expectation of q constant an
hual appropriation for this purpose
1t is the duty of the State to take
every precaution for the security Of
the travelling public on the highways.
The advent of the automobile has in
tenslfied and complicated this problem
earnestly recommend the passage of
law requiring the display of lights
upon all vehicles traversing the high
ways at night.
In view of the alarming number of
recent fatalities resulting from acct
dents to automobiles at grade cross
lh2S, l suggest some further protec-
ton of all grade crossings including
In the more important cases installa-
.tion Of automatic signals
Serious injury to some of our i'm
proved State highways has already re-
suited from the use of traction engines
and motor trucks carrying excessive
loads. You may well consider the
wisdom of limiting by law the weight
OF load which may be transported over
an improved State highway
Water Powers.
The water power of the State should
be preserved for the benefit of all the
people. 1t must be conserved for the
development of cheap hydro electric
power, not only for manufacturing
plants but for domestic use even in
rural communities and on the farm.
You must prevent the placing of OBJ
stacles in the path of progress and
at the same time guard the peoples in
terest in the water powers so that if
will not be released without ADEQUATE
compensation.
Forests.
Steady and constant water power
for the use of industry can only be
maintained by cherishing the forests
which form the natural and essential
reservoir of our lakes and rivers. The