Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-02-16
Highways


Highways
Names road problem can be appre
ciated when 1t Is realized that Maine
covers an area as large as that of the
other five New England states, with a
population of 76S,014, where they have
6,632,895; and that Maine has total
of 25,529 miles of road, while the other
five New England states have but 63,-
181. From this it is seen that Maine
has about 1870 of New England's popu-
lation and about 1870 of it's roads. The
question of good roads must therefore
always remain an important and a
difficult one. The fact that such d
widespread interest exists in the high
way question is encouraging for dis
cussion is educational and ultimately
a solution Of the problem will be found.
At present there is an undercurrent
Of opinion that a disproportionate
amount Of the money available is be-
ing spent on roads Of costly construc-
ton, that plant and overhead charges
are at times larger than they should
Be, and thst the interest of the smaller
communities Is sometimes unneces-
sazdly made secondary to the develop
ment Of large projects. Reference is
made to these criticisms in order that
through the proper committee you may
determine il they are we'll founded,
and II so may endeavor to suggest the
needed remedies. It should always be
borne in mind that criticism Is not, al.
though It ultimately may lead to, con.
stY0ction, and that this difficult sttua-
ton should be handled without preju-
dice or partisanship. and with the sole
desire to remedy that which needs cor
rection. 1t is of course first necessary
for you to secure the facts upon which
to base your judgment and conclusion
The Blaine House
1t has become the fixed policy Of the
State as established by act and re-
solve, to maintain the Blaine House
as the Executive home, and a few days
ago you generously provided for its
maintenance for the ensuing 80 months
by passing resolve appropriating
$32,500. You did this in a spirit OF
loyalty to the memory Of the son of
Maine in whose name the house was so
generously given in trust to the State
In this $32,5O0 resolve it is stated that
1.-THE funds herein appropriated are
in addition to any sums expended by
the superintendent Of public buildings
and grounds for the care and preserva-
ton of the property to be occupied by
the Governor as his official residence"
and the Budget Committee in its re-
port now before you, under the title
Of Supt. Of Public Buildings, also
has provided for an additional appro-
priation to cover certain expenses con-
nected with the Blaine House. In pro-
viding for this $32,50O appropriation
you, ignorant of what destiny had in
store, were planning for the future,
but rapidly changing conditions have
made it advisable to revise this item
l suggest that the $32,500 Resolve
be repealed, and that the contemplat.
ed appropriation in the Budget be
referred to a committee for careful
consideration in order that whatever
is finally appropriated by the State
for the maintenance of this house shall
be understood by all. Should you
accept. these suggestions you will, in
my opinion place this question upon a
proper basis.
You already have decided that the
Blaine House should be kept open to
the people of our State so that those
who, from historical and sentimental
reasons desire to visit it, may freely do
so. The Blaine House was accepted by
the State as sacred trust. 1t was
given in trust to our late Governor
to be held by him during his term OF
office. 1t would, in my opinion, be a
generous and an appropriate act for
you, after repeating the $32,500 Re
solve, to pass a resolve in its stead
providing that the sum Of not less than
$4,000 per year for the years Of 1921
and 1922 be placed in the hands of the
devoted wife of our late Executive, to
be used by her for the benefit Of her
self and children.