Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-17
WAYS AND BRIDGES
Numerous Requests for Aid from All
Sections of the State

ny G'iI+( US " ttbuliu tue III luSc,
that's the NiGger in the woodpile," ex-
claimed Ralph w. Parker of Rumford
III explaining why the town OF Rum
ford was opposed to certain features of
the resolve appropriating money to aid
the town Of Mexico in purchasing the
toll bridge over the Androscoggin river
between the towns of Mexico and
Rumford, to the committee on ways
and bridges this afternoon.
The purpose OF the resolve was to
free the toll bridge and Il new draft
has been presented which would divide
the cost of maintenance in equal por-
tiOnS between the towns of Mexico and
Rumford. The entire history of the toll
bridge and the Rumford and Mexico
bridge district was gone into in detail
and there were many clashes between
Mr.. Parker and Lucian w. Blanchard
of Rumford and Representative George
A. Hutchins of Mexico, who represent
ed the proponents of the bill. as well
as encounters between opposing wit
nesses, and a vast amount of feeling
between tho two towns in the matter
of this bridge was made evident.
The resolve asks for $4,000 to aid
the town of Mexico in freeing the
bridge. Mr. Blanchard explained that
Mexico was the bed room" of Rum
ford, made so largely on account of the
high price OF house lots in Rumford
and that the toll bridge imposed tax
of So q year upon the working man
living in Mexico and S24 year If he
used team in coming and gong. lie
explained that the bridge district IN
cluded only part of the town OF Mex
co. Rumford having refused to accept
the act of 1918, and that the district
/ had paid $4,000 for the bridge.
Paul u. Sargent, chief engineer of
the state highway department, testl-
fled that the bridge was in good con-
dition and that $1,000 would make all
he repairs called for.
is it heavy enough to take care OF
the traffic." asked Rep. Beane of the
committees Mr.. Sargent said that 1t
was not so heavy as he would care TO
build himself and that seven tons was
tho maximum load recommended. Ihe
bridge was 375 feet long with three
spans.
What will Rumford do?" inquired
Senator Conant. as if he had never
heard the old story. And from then on
the hearing was of the liveliest KIND.
"Eumford was never interested IN
freeing this bridge" declared Attorney
blanchard with some feeling.
ANcXico would gladly assume the en-
tire cost of freeing the bridge from
personal pride if the town was apie
10 do So" said Rep. Hutchlns or Mex
leo. He explained that on account OF
tbc great demand for. schools IN that
tu\yn Mexico must at present eNpehd
90 per cent. of it's revenue for schools;
chr problem is not highway prop
lon. il is a school problem, ne went
on. THE bridge problem is beylhd our
solving and we ask your help, gentle
men of the committee.
! Mr. Iutrhins said that it was UNI AR
ia ask rich Rumford" TO assume one
half the cost of maintenance OF the
bridge between the two towns. Mexico
had lots of other bridges that 1t was
keeping up He declared that the prop
osition of freeing the toll bridge was
one of interest to the people All over
Maine and of other states as well.
THE people of Maine ought TO take
action to free every toll bridge IN the
state. they arc a disgrace to the state
and should no longer be tolerated, ne
concluded.
Il. w. Gooding former representative
from Mexico. said that he had heard
little beside this toll bridge for the iaSt
10 wears. Rumford had refused to help
either to buy the bridge or to help form
a bridge district. The valuation OF
Mexico was 500 600. the Indebtedness
Of the town had been as high as per
tLo borrowing canacltE
only $4,000. The toll bridge placed
fax of $50 per week upon the town of
Mexico.
John l.. Howard Of Mexico declared
that the toll bridge imposed tax of
$4,000 year upon the people OF Mexico.
Ralph T. Parker of Rumford declared
that the people of Rumford felt that
they had not been consulted in the mat
ter. They had sympathy for MeXicos
suflcrings but also troubles of their
own Rumford was nearly up to it's
debt limit and had 80 bridges TO sup
port.
You feel that the people of Mexico
are foreigners. don't you?" inquired
Senator Peacock of the committee.
with all their faults we love them
1--WE have no objections to your giving
them SIS, 900 or any other sum that you
see lit but we say that we have a right
! to be heard when YOU put on the end of
the hill that Rumford shall assist in the
maintenance of the bridge and ultimate
~ rebuild it,"
Then followed q lively argument in
regard to the condition of the bridge.
each side quoting the engineer of the
opposing side when the bridge was APP
praised in order to prove it's contention.
Mr. Parker cited the report of Engineer
Greenwood that the bridge was % years
old and that the best method was only
to make what repairs were necessary
and later erect new structure. He
declared that the bridge would soon
have to be rebuilt and that the State
highway law required that towns on OPP
positc sides of a river should pay for
the rebuilding of bridge in proportion
to their valuation. which would cause
seven-eighths of the cost to fall upon
the town of Rumford and one-eighth
upon the town of Mexico.
Attorney Blanchard after much cross
M VNr 4