Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-08
WAYS AND BRIDGES
Resolve for Completion Of lockwood
Jackman Road-Other Matters

| That the money appropriated by the
State and from other sources in build
ing the State highway in the Moose.
head lake region, for which $46,O 900 has
already been spent or contracted for ur
to the present time. $22,500 from the
State treasury, will be wasted or prac-
tically so if the road is not completed
was pointed out by various speakers al
the hearing before. the committee or
ways and bridges Wednesday after
noon on the resolve presented at this
session of the Legislature asking fol-
$4,000 appropriation from the State
treasury to aid in completion of the
State road from Jackman in Somerset
county to lockwood on MooseheaG
lake.
Former Attorney General William r
Pattangall opened the hearing for the
proponents. and spoke of the asset
which the highway will be to the State
in opening up the Moosehead lake re-
gion to summer tourists, a section in
that vicinity will be opened up to ag-
ricultural development, some already
having been taken up by individuals;
while the completion of the road will
mean bringing within access to WISH
tors from within and outside of the
State the largest inland lake in the
United States.
Lyman H. Nelson of Portland. for
merly chairman of the State Highway
Commission and who had much to do
with outlining the policy of the COM
mission with respect to trunk line
plans, spoke strongly in favor of the
resolve, stating that it was not at this
time a question as to whether mis-
takes had been made or whether the
Highway Commission had done all it
could, the fact remains that the policy
OF the State is committed to building
this road. He pointed out the fact that
some do not like the method of the
present commission, but added that
was not the question under considera-
ton.
IL don't believe in the expensive
methods of the Highway Commission, -
stated Mr.. Nelson, but that is not the
question. 1t is a false economy to
abandon this project. Even if the
amount asked for does not complete
the work, as has been pointed out, it
is continuing a settled policy of the
State in respect to its highways"
MT. NelSOH Cdileu dtlSlltloll " tuc
fact that the Province of Quebec had
practically completed a road down to
the boundary at Sandy Bay plantation,
and this is link in the plan.
Mr. Nelson closed with the statement
that it was time that the State Of
Maine did something in constructive
legislation.
Hon. Forrest Fl. Colby of Bingham,
State Land Agent and Forest Commits
sioner in speaking as one of the pro-
ponents stated that the money spent on
the road was one of the best invest
ments the State could make, and he de-
feded his action in the past in promot-
ing the same when a member of the
House two years ago. He stated that
since he had assumed his duties as
forest commissioner he had received in
quiries if wild lands could not be OPEN
ed up for agricultural development, and
he added that he believed that legisla-
ton such as is proposed by the matter
before the committee was one of the
most effective ways of opening up such
land for productive use. He stated
with considerable emphasis that if the
road in question is not put through the
money which has been appropriated and
spent by towns toward the project will
be lost
Charles A. Judkins of Kineo also
spoke in support of the resolve.
Other matters before the committee
included resolve for an appropriation
of $500 for each of the years 1917 and
1918 for repairs of the Buxton road to
Saco and for the maintenance of the
same. 1t was pointed out by one Of the
proponents that the road was laid out
in 1855 over the old Pequot Indian tribe
The road is thoroughfare. and for
this reason the appropriation was urged
the road connecting with a direct road
to Old Orchard and therefore was much
used. Mayor Henderson and City Soil
citor Clifton Hughes spoke in support,
urging the importance Of the roadway
as a connection with other roads north.
There are several resolves for appro-
priations for repairs on the Maine mill
tary road in certain towns in the eastern
part of the State, r. w. Shaw Of Houl-
ton appearing for one asking for $3.50
for section of the road in Houlton,
Representative Clifford of Reed Plan
tation for resolve to appropriate
$4,000 for a part of the military road
in Reed Plantation. while two other re-
solves for large appropriations for re-
pairs on sections of the same highway
between Macwahoc and Haynesville,
and in the North Yarmouth Academy
grant.
Representative Besse Of the commit
tee suggested to the proponents Of
these resolves get together in regard
to the amounts they could get along
with as the aggregate asked for was
far in excess of what could be reported.
Representative Larrabee Of Bath ap-
peared in favor of a resolve for aid
in the repair of a highway bridge over
the New Meadows river near New Mead
ows Inn in West Bath, $500 being asked
for.
Homer Chase of North New Portland
appeared for a resolve for $1,000 for
Lexington Plantation highway repair
work, while in support of a resolve in
Mr.. Discoll of that place appeared.
The latter provided for an appropra-
ton of $4,000 for a section of highway
in Columbia and extending to Harring-
ton.
Representative Dutton of Bingham
with Judge Simmons of North Arson
appeared in support of a resolve for
aid asked by the proprietors of the
Arson and Madison toll bridge. Judge
Simmons stated that the measure was
not request for aid for a toll bridge