Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-22
AUTO MEN
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Frank D. Marshall of Portland,
chairman of the legislative committee
of the association, presided over the
get-together. The other members OF
of the committee are Ernest F. Cla-
son of Lisbon Falls, Arthur r. Gould
of Pressure Isle, Harvey d. Granville
of Parsonsfield. Frank E. Guernsey
of Dover, Charles S. Hichborn of Au-
gusta, A. S. Littlef1eld of Rockland,
Bertrand G.. McIntire of Norway,
William RR. Pattangall of Augusta,
Robert J.. Peacock of Lubec. De-
Forest H. Perkins of Portland, John
c. Scates Of Westbrook, Joseph w.
Simpson of York Harbor and w. B.
Shelton of Lewiston.
The speakers who addressed the
conference were Governor Carl E.
Milliken, Chairman B. F. Cleaves OF
the Public Utilities Comm ssion, Sec
rotary of State Frank w. Ball., Attor-
ney General Guy II. Sturgis, Chief
Engineer Paul D. Sargent Of the
State Highway Commission and
Chief of Police Irving S. Watts of
Portland. Among the road and auto
problems which were dwelt upon
were: The motor truck question and
the need of keeping these trucks of
the gravel roads at certain seasons
of the year, the matter of licensing
operators, the abuse of the dealers
license, and the question of the regis
tration of out-of-State automobiles
coming to Maine.
Governor-elect Parkhurst who was
scheduled to speak yesterday, was
unable to keep his engagement owing
to important business outside the
city.
Tuesday afternoon a large number
of those in attendance at the meeting
accepted Governor Milliken's cordial
to visit the executive man.
sion.
Judge Benjamin T. cleaves
Chairman Benjamin F. Cleaves of
the Public Utilities Commission was
called upon by the chairman as the
first speaker at the session. He re-
ferred to the fact that the Maine
Automobile Association has picked a
very capable and efficient committee
to receive information and give con-
sideration to that information for the
purpose of enabling them to deter
mine what changes. if any. should be
recommended in the various laws. In
regard to the matter of enforcement
of the laws pertaining to vehicles, he
spoke Of the advantages of having
one department with the single re-
sponsibility, and pointed out the re-
suits coming from the division of
this responsibility.
The automobile headlight situation
as it exists today is practically
worthless, he pointed out. From one
half hour after sunset to one-half
hour before sunrise automobiles
use lens that are not of an
approved type. But in practical ex-
perience. in the day time there can
be any sort Of lens on the light. for
that does not mean necessarily that
the automobilist is to use those same
lens after dark, even though the pre-
is strong. Inspectors cam
not enforce the law efficiently when
working only at night. In view of
this. it was the speakers opinion
that it should be unlawful for a man
to have on his car, anywhere and at
ony time. headlight lens that are not
of an approved type.
Speaking of the general highway
Judge Cleaves pointed
out that If it Is to be the policy of
having all the money to be devoted
to the Maine highways raised from
the automobilists alone, then we are
falling far short of the money to do
things which the Legislature saws
shall be done and still maintain the
highways created. and to be created.
And he also showed that if automo-
bilists are to pay the entire bill there
must be a different distribution of
burden under which Automobiles
will rest if they are to produce all of
the funds.
The matter of the use of trucks
on the highways was then taken up
by the speaker, who stated that he
the value of the use of
trucks on highways and the increas-
ing necessity of the trucks. He point
ed out that in Maine we must con-
slider that we have an immense ter.
ritory to cover out of a rather linn
tied capital, and that we must spread
our money as far and as RAPIDLY as
possible, which means that the type
OF road must be cheaper. SO the
gravel highways are necessary in
sections of the State. He spoke of
the need Of keeping from these
gravel roads certain types of vehic-
les which at certain seasons of the
year will tend to destroy these roads.
The desires Of the truck owners can.
not come first. Judge Cleaves said
that In his judgment We can't build
highways for all types Of vehicles
on the money which is appropriated.
Gravel roads must be built and thew
must be used reasonably. Trucks
cannot be put on them in the spring
of the year or in the time of the fan
rains. without destroying their use-
fulness.
The possibility of taking into ac-
count that highways will be used for
heavy trucking business by out-of-the
State owners and drivers, he showed
Is matter that will require careful
thought. and he spoke of the adyisa-
bility Of having some form of a fee
that the individual pays for the use
OF our highways. In closing his adj
dress Mr.. Cleaves stated that within
the limits OF his time he would be
glad to do all in his power to assist