Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-28

IuOlOI VI olhSi vehicle Ill eACSSS CI 1t
total weight of eight tons. including
load and vehicle. or the width of the
| load thereon which is in excess of
eight feet, and between November
and May 1, no traction engine. trailer,
motor or other vehicle in excess of a
total weight of three tons, including
load and vehicle, or the width of the
load thereon, which is in excess of
eight feet shall be operated upon or
over any highway in this State out
side of the thickly settled portions
where the buildings are situated at
such distances as will average less
than 200 feet between them for a dis
lance of one-quarter of mile or over,
without first obtaining a permit from
the authorities having charge of the
repair and maintenance of such high
ways.
Section 2. Any person violating the
provisions of this act or the regula-
lions made or permits granted under
the authority thereof, shall be liable to
la fine of not more than 500 for each
and every offenSe, and such fine shall
be paid into the treasury of the State
! for use on State highways or bridges
when State highways or bridges are
injured, and into the treasury of the
lefty, town or county when any high
way or bridge is injured which is I'M
der the care of said city. town or coun-
/ y for the use on the highways of said
city, town or county in addition to any
| other moneys that may be available for
that purpose"
The object of this bill. Mr. Speaker,
| into the State of Maine and ripping up
our roads. This is problem that other
states are seeking to deal with at the
present time. and it is a very difficult
problem because the heavy trucks have
already arrived in these other states
in Massachusetts,, Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
and other states where large cities ex-
list Now these heavy trucks have not
vet arrived in the State of Maine The
highway commission. however, has
found out that a circus is contemplate
ing coming down here into the State of
Maine next summer and conveying it's
paraphernalia on motor trucks. Sooner
or later we are bound to have a great
many motor trucks in this State. l
think at the present time we can pass
law which will in effect keep them
out and protect our highways, at least
to the extent of making it necessary
for any of these people who contem-
plate putting these heavy trucks on the
highways to get a permit from the prop
er authorities which would perhaps en-
able them to use the roads when the
roads are in condition for use. but
which would keep them out when the
frost is coming out of the ground or
when the roads are wet. at which times,
as you know, these trucks will cut
right down through to the very rock
foundation. Down on the Boston Post
Road in Connecticut last year, a road
made of bituminous macadam, the
frost was coming out of the ground
and those heavy trucks. some of Them
cut right down through it, and it cost
the state of Connecticut 100000 to
repair the damage done in two or three
weeks time. Up here on our roads
where we have SO much of the gravel
surface, and surface which is not SO
hard and will not hold up the heavy
weights that the bituminous material
will hold up. our roads are going to be
damaged even more. l move you, Mr..
Speaker, that this bill be passed with
out reference to a committee and that
it have its several readings at this
time.
Mr. BARNES of Houlton: Mr..
Speaker, | would like to inquire
through the Chair, of the gentleman
from Ellsworth, Mr.. Redman. having
in mind Section 80 of Chapter &c of the
Statutes of Maine, whether it would
be agreeable to him to have this re-
solve or order tabled for printing?
Mr. REDMAN: will say. Mr..
Speaker, that it will be very agreea-
BILE to me. This resolve. | might say,
is prepared in the Highway Commits
sion office, and they have gone over
this thing pretty carefully along the
lines of a similar bill which is being
presented in Massachusetts at the pres
ent time. l readily consent to its be-
ing tabled for printing.
The SPEA KER: Is it the pleasure of
the House that the bill presented by
the gentleman from Ellsworth. Mr.
Eedman. be given consideration and be
tabled for printing?
The motion was agreed to.
The SPEAKER: The Chair will call
the aClenl!On Oh tile IctuSc TO the lacL
that rhis evening. on an order passed
by the House. the hall of the House o
RepreSentatiN es was given up to the
gentleman from Washington. Mr.. Pin
chot: and the Chair recognizes the
gentleman from Portland. Mr.. Baxter,
who wishes to give notice in regard
to the lecture.
Mr.. BANTER of Portland: Mr..