Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-25
PORTLAND QUICK
LY NAILS THE
POOR ROAD YARN

/ Portland did the graceful thing
when she sent Deforest H. Perkins,
secretary Of her Chamber Of Com
merce, to Bangor to. deny and run
down, If possible, the stories that
Portland and her travelling men were
circulating stories about the condi-
ton Of the roads intended to keep the
tourist travel away from Bangor.
These stories, whatever their source.
have certainly gained wide circula-
ton and affected every town and city
between Portland and Bangor. They
are of a class that can be only de-
scribed as contemptibly nasty. Port.
land Chamber Of Commerce did the
proper thing and Bangor should be
and is pleased with her sister city's
attitude and action. The CONNER
cial says. ;
Deforest H. Perkins secretary Of
Portland Chamber Of Commerce,
came to Bangor Tuesday afternoon
to look into the reports that Port
land hotel clerks and garage men are
warning tourists not to continue
east OF Portland because Of bad road
conditions. Mr.. Perkins was in con-
sultation with officers of Bangor
Chamber of Commerce and arrange
ments were made to refer to the
Portland organization future in
stances Of this sort.
Mr. Perkins told the Bangor Cham.
Der Of Commerce officers that the
board Of directors of Portland Cham
Der Of Commerce are much con-
cerned over the reports of discrimi-
nation against eastern Maine on the
part of Portland men and it was to
assure Bangor that Portland. as a
community. was entirely out Of sym
pathy with such propaganda that his
directors sent him to this city.
1T must be apparent that reports,
particularly when they are untrue,
concerning road conditions in Maine
affects Portland just as much as it
does Bangor or other points" said
Mr.. Perkins, land we cannot under
stand the reason for circulating re-
ports of this sort or why tourists
should be warned not to travel east
of Portland.
The route to eastern Maine, by
the way Of Brunswick and Rockland,
has been in good condition since
early spring and has been constantly
travelled. Our information bureau in
Monument square has sent hundreds
of automobiles over this route as
we'll as by the way to Augusta and
Waterville. and know I am safe in
saying that all the derogatory re-
ports on eastern Maine road condi-
tons have come from unofficial
sources and. I might add. from
sources that are ignorant or indiffer-
ent to Names interests.
I'VE are going to cooperate in
every way to overcome this giving
out Of false road information. We
have asked Bangor Chamber Of
Commerce to furnish US with the
names of persons. who have been
misdirected in Portland and also the
source of untrue road information.
With this in hand. can assure Ban
gor that Portland will do it's part to
remedy conditions"
Mr.. Perkins said that he knew as
much about eastern Maine road con-
ditions as most men in the state as
he Travelled through practically, ev-
cry town on his two trips over Maine
in the interest of the war savings
stamp campaign last fall. He added
that he can personally, endorse the
roads in Washington and Aroostook
counties which he considers as good
as any in the State.
Portland is looking for a record
breaking tourist travel month in
August, Mr.. Perkins said. $780,.