Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-13
Petitioners Ask
Aid in Improving
North Belfast Road

1<OIC I'LL DClldSl lNOdU
The hearing Tuesday morning be-
fore the State Highway Commission
on the petition of residents along the
line of the highway known as the
North Belfast road, leading from Au-
gusta to Belfast, for some kind of
assistance from the State to make the
road passable and serviceable was at
tended by about 200 men and women.
including citizens Of Augusta, Belfast
and each of the eight intervening
towns on that road. The hearing was
called for the Senate chamber, but
the size of the audience caused it to
be held in the hall Of the House, State
House
It was brought out beyond any
doubt, the exceedingly bad condition
of parts Of the road, a fact that the
commits VIM. NJ. Aver,
Philip J. Deering and Frank A. Pea
body-with Chief Engineer Paul D.
Sargent, also stated to be true. The
especially bad features were empha-
sized, recommendations as to the
proper manner Of putting it in shape
were made, a statement made as to
the relative costs Of various kinds of
road. by Engineer Sargent and the
commissioners, after stating that they
were working under certain strict and
infiexible laws and not according to
their own wishes. promised to give
the matter their early and serious
consideration and attend to the mat
ter at the earliest possible moment.
1t may be mentioned that num-
Der of women were present and that
the only speaker from that sex made
one of the best of the hearing, being
at its close given hearty applause and
causing the leader of the petitioners
to remark, holding his list Of speak
ers in view: II wish / had more
women on that list"
L. c. Morse of Liberty presented
the case for the petitioners. He out
lined the territory, the industries.
agricultural interests and the desire
of the people to have an outlet and
inlet to their several towns over
which they could travel without dan
ger and discomfort to their persons
and property. Everything now trans
ported to and from evey home and
industry. whether products of their
manufacturing plants or of their
farms had to 60 by auto trucks or
teams-and the road was unsuitable
for either purpose. The great in
crease in pleasure automobile travel
would also call for a better road
there, as the public liked to leave the
congested main lines and travel by a
quieter route, and that being a natural
highway line between Augusta, Bel
fast and other points west, more
travel would certainly come.
His own town of Liberty, which he
said was the busiest in Waldo county,
was IA miles from Thorndike, is
from Belfast and % from Waldoboro
and all transportation for its many
industries had to be hauled, no rail-
roads or electric lines connecting.
Liberty had for II years been
building on State aid roads and had
better than the average roads.
Palermo also had some good roads.
The population served. including Au-
gusta and Belfast, was about $4,000
people, all living along this route and
paying taxes to build and maintain
our roads. He said these people sim
ply asked that the commission do
something and at once. to better the
condition of this road and give them
a chance to travel comfortably and
safely haul their goods.
Other speakers. all of whom voiced
their belief in the importance of i'm
hat
highway, were:
Charles S. Hichborn Of Augusta:
James B. Dinsmore Of China; Albert
w. Brooks of Augusta; Mayor
Clement w. Wescott of Belfast: Nor
ris l.. Slug of Belfast: Edwin Vose Of
the Liberty Lumber Co., Liberty;
Representative Charles $. Adams Of
Liberty; Charles NJ. Howes of Mont
vile: Mrs. Virginia Jones Of South
China: DR.. W. l.. West of Belfast;
John A. Woodsum of China; Mr..
Simmons Of Searsmont; and W. j.
Thompson of South China. master of
the State Grange.
The commissioners assured the
petitioners that the road would be
built, but reminded them that the 400
miles of road to be built in Maine
cannot be built in one or 10 or II
years. Chairman Aver stated that
the matter would be given serious at
tention at once and the work done as
soon as possible.
Mr. Morse in closing. said:
Gentlemen. you see the spirit that
prevails among these petitioners and
their anxiety to secure a better road.
being shut in by its present poor con-
dition.. Come out and get US. And.
if you come over this road. please
remember that I am an undertaken"