Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-11
New State Garage
Continued from Pace One1

automobiles and trucks, tires, ETC.,
valued at s161,s76 1t is thus seen
that the commission owns about
100000 worth Of road building ma
chinery and equipment, trucks. etc.
which must be overhauled from time
to time.
Makeshift Shops
Prior to the receipt of trucks and
equipments from the government the
commission had put UP a small shop
on land rented from the city Of Au-
gusta, for the purpose of overhaufing
equipment. This shop will accomo-
date four trucks and two passenger
cars, which. of course. is entirely in
adequate for taking proper care of
over 200 trucks and automobiles
which the State now owns. During
the winter of 1912 and 1920 trucks
We're stored wherever space could be
secured, barns, sheds. easements, a
stone shed belonging TO the Hallowell
Granite Works and open mule sheds
belonging to the State at the State
muster field We're, used and still q
considerable amount OF tile equipment
had to be left out of doors and has
been out OF doors ever since.
1t is estimated that the average
cost OF storage of trucks and other
equipment under this arrangement
was $50 each for the winter season.
Great difficulty was encountered in
getting trucks from their storage
places to the shop for overhaul and
back to storage after the overhaul
was completed. Trucks mile or two
away from the shop would take on an
average one half days time for two
men and truck or tractor, depend
ing on the condition of the road. /.
Need of New Quarters
I'm the spring of 1920 after the
above experience, it was seen by the
commission that some arrangement
ought to be made for properly hous
ing and caring for this equipment
received from the government and
the other road building equipment
owned by the State. After long con-
sideration and study and consulta-
ton with the Governor and council
and State auditor it was decided to
construct the, garage and repair shop,
which is now nearing completion.
Perfect authority for the conStruc-
ton of this building was found in
Sect. of the State Highway law in
the following language.
The commission may from time
to time purchase, lease or hire all
machinery, tools, implements and
property necessary for highway en-
gineering and construction and for
the administration and execution OF
it's duties, and may contract for such
labor, materials and property as it
may deem necessary for the eXami
nation. building and construction OF
State and State-aid highways
Started in May, 1919
The building was put under con-
struction in May, 1919. Contract was
entered into with 4. r. Moreau & Co
Of Lewiston, Maine for the conStruc-
ton of the building on cost plus 1C
per cent. basis. The plans were only
roughly in shape, that is to say, the
main features of the building, such as
size on the ground and elevation, ha6
been, decided upon, with u storage
capacity of 100 trucks and automo.
biles and provision for overhaul Of
about 20 trucks at the same time. II
is believed that if the whole building
is used for storage, 200 trucks anC
automobiles can be put into tht
building. Under ordinary conditions
the building would have been com.
pleted by December, but. owing to the
extreme difficulty of securing con
struction materials, work could no
+ be prosecuted as in normal times
| From time to time changes have
been made in the original plans as
the work progressed and the neet
shown which changes could not have
been made under a strict contract
without large bill for extras. The
building is now nearing completion
and carefully prepared estimates in.
| dictate that the cost Of the structure
with a heating plant, electric lights
water and sewer connections. already
for occupancy will be less than $220,.
900. including the cost Of the land an6
plans and supervision. This figure
does not include the cost of any ma
chinery or machine shop equipment
as none has been purchased.
Sound Economy
You ask if this is an economical
investment for the State. As pointed
out above, the average storage charge
for trucks and machines in different
places is estimated at $50, which a
that rate would figure $4,000 for all Of
the machines owned by the State foi
a year. This amount is saved by
housing at the garage or may bt
placed to the credit of the garage.
Due to the fact that the commits
sion purchases repair parts in guam.
titles it obtains the lowest whole
sale price and no profit rs paid tt
any dealer or garage on these parts
This in itself is a considerable say.
ing as it will probably cost 5000 pei
machine per year for repair parts
That figures $4,000 and if a profit O
% per cent. on this material wa.
charged by commercial garages. ant
that would be reasonable profit
$4,000 would have to be added to the
States repair bill, which shows us &
saving of $4,000 which can be cred
| tied to the garage account.
by having the garage, repair worl
is done under the supervision of 6
few trained automobile mechanics b,
the best drivers in the employ of thu
commission. This arrangement al
lows the commission to keep it's best