Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-25
Editors Letter Box

Editor Kennebec Journal:

Editor Kenaebec Journal: -
The subject Of converting The prop
exty opposite the City hall in Au-
gE<ta- into a park, = one which nas'
no doubt been gone into quite care
fully by many q cur public minded
citizens. both men and women and
been dashed" over II that be the
case wish II might be warmed Up
again. and 20 that end. without An
Ient!onaliy wishing TO make a raax
pas and tread On anyones Toes
would lend my little oar.
know that before his death. TINS
had been = long cherished IDEAL OF
my father for the city. so much 50
tia. j. was almost 4 hobby" with
Kim As the beautiful and well
equipped Y NJ c. A building which
he lad long wished for the city Gong
before l had ever heard anyone else
mention such thing became
reality during his life. ] believe the
thought projected into the idea q
park around the City hall. As soon
as tie city can finance IL. would De
II return . real financial asset row 20
the city.
Old Fort Western should be re-
stored. a. nearly as possible 20 its
original state and converted into i
museum where admission ~uUlo oe
charged A guard should be kept IN
the building 10 protect the relics,
which / am sure the people Of Az
gusta. and the surrounding country.
would take pride IN donating En-
graved plates Of the donors would.
Of course. be On every article
This old fort Is one Of the most
interesting historical landmarks In
tie country. and fee, sure II It were
advertised" 50 to speak. hundreds
Of people would come up the Kenae-
summer Literally thousands an
nuaily visit Washington Head
quarters in Valley Forge, in a SINH
lsr fashion.
Hundreds Of people visit the little
Block House in the town Of Edge
comb opposite Wiscasset. every year,
and the place y of the beaten
track and far less accessible to
automobile tourists than Fort West
ern-
We have only to look at the pict-
ures Of foreign cities situated on the
banks OF rivers. TO see that the river
is made 20 enhance the beauty Of
the city. The view up and down the
river from the bridge, here, 10 one
that is admired and loved by every
one. whatever mood the river is in.
but / hope the day will soon come
when the drives in the rear Of our
shops may be made attractive prom
enades for the benefit of all. with
proper lighting. not only for the ex-
elusive use of our coal teamsters and
their carts
Our aviator friend Of the bombing
aeropiane has said that Maine is
behind the times" in the matter Of
having adequate aeral landing sta
tons. In proportion to the number
Of planes in use in the State. think
II il safe to say that other states
are not SO very much better of ex-
cept where government stations are
available. Some aviators have PR
,ate landings. or land anywhere they
like I have seen aviators land and
rise from hilly field that was net
work Of fences. and where there
were hurdles besides. aad were not
doing it as a stunt" or for the pub
lie either.
Our mayor and the Augusta people
show their breadth Of mind however,
in acting upon the suggestion of Col
Hartz so promptly. and am so in
tenseIy interested in the welfare and
progress Of Augusta, that for one,
would like to see il one Of the first
cities in the State to be alive to the
opportunities before il in continuing
the good work. which after nearly
ten years absence, i notice with en-
thusiasm. has already been started.
in clearing away many Of the build
ings beyond use. as well as some Of
the useless and worse than useless.
positively unsanitary and unsightly
old fire traps. which If cleared away
would make the city 50 much less
"chucky." and more beautiful.
As ever. faithfully yours.
F. r SPIERS
Augusta. Ne. Sept. =.