Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-02
VOTE NO" is THE SLOGAN

The users of automobiles in this
State contribute very materially to
the construction and maintenance of
Cur highways, and they should do SO.
Those who wear out the highways
should pay for it and none can have
a more Director vital interest in the
proper solution of the road problems
than have those who use the roads.
The Maine Automobile Association
nay fairly be said to represent our
users Of automobiles. What it has to
say elsewhere in this issue respecting
the highway bond amendment is en-
titled to consideration. careful con-
sideration at that. The representa-
tives of the Association are firmly
and Overwhelmingly opposed 70 the
proposed amendment to the Consti-
tuition whereby money raised by
bonds might be used for the annual
maintenance of our highways.
The Association gives it's reasons
for this opposition and they are good
reasons, as our readers we believe,
will conclude after reading them. DO
not fail to read them and if they meet
with your approval adopt the slogan
Vote No. And that is not enough,
for this is serious matter. Unless
No wins there will come a change,
radical and regrettable change in
the business policy with which the
highway construction in Maine
contrasting most favorably with
many other states-has been car
ried out. In Maine the money
raised for roads has been put into
roads. not into politics. Don't forget
that and don't forget to jog YOUR
neighbor's memory concerning it. 1t
is worth all that effort. A lot of
money must be spent in the next few
years on our highways. Everyone in
terested in this is interested in hav-
ing it spent exclusively on the high
ways; it will all be needed there
How this may be done is a serious
problem in some states. The first
essential to progress is to secure a
way by which the road funds NAV he
applied to the roads after the most
approved methods. Maine has no
problem of that kind. Already We
are doing that very thing. Let's
keep it up.
Furthermore, if we but think of it.
all the automobilists do not live on
the trunk lines; not all the members
OF the Maine Association are think
ing solely of the trunk lines. Indeed
are not nearly all of the members of
thae Association DESTROYS of having
the back roads in suitable condition
FOR pleasure as we'll as for business
they are required frequently to make
use OF those roads. From a purely
selfish standpoint the motorists can.
not want all the money spent on the
trunk lines.
some may say the motorists want
100 much money spent on the roads.
But are they not contributing their
snare OF that money? If they are not
II is the fault of the States lawmak-
ers and the public sustaining the
lawmakers. There is ample evidence
that good roads contribute to the i'm
mediate prosperity of the communi-
Ties through which they pass. that
they are good investment With as
surance that every dollar raised for
the roads will be applied to them
why whine about the tax, if it be
levied impartially. and, if not fairly
imposed, why. instead of grumblins
ABOUT the tax don't we see that if is
made fair" If trucking corporations
are abusing the privileges thew
ENJOY IN Maine. take the privileges
away-but keep on building good
roads, patrolling them, repairing
them by the best possible methods
and so help Maine to enjoy the ad-
vantages which a bountiful nature
mas bestowed on her. We might as
well admit, now as later, that prog
ress costs money and those unwilling
to pay the price, those, who shrink
from the effort required, don't pro-
gress.