Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-10
wifi make continuous improved road

wifi make continuous improved road
from Poland to Bethel: and other
similar sections.
/ have heard the Commission
state that they expect to be able
within three years, with what FEEDER
al aid will become available, to COM
plete the reconstruction of the State
highway system. I, see no reason
why this cannot be accomplished.
Two years ago atsthe annual meet
ing Of this Association it was my
privilege to point out the great need
for additional maintenance funds. 1t
is apparent that legislation passed
last winter will provide the funds we
need for properly maintaining State
highways already built. Quite
considerable mileage of State high
way has been resurfaced and a good
many miles Of state aid roads on the
State highways have been resurfaced
and brought up to the standard of
State highways. The Commission
plans to do more OF this work as
funds permit. This year we have
treated two OF our principal lines
with calcium chloride, a dust layer
1t has entirely done away with the
dust nuisance: it has saved the ma
terial which was on the road, and has
in large measure, I believe, prevent
ed the rip ply condition which hereto
fore has prevailed on those lines. At
least, visitors from New Hampshire
and Vermont have said those lines
were better than any in their own
states"
Address of r. w. James of Bu-
reau of Public Roads at Maine A. A.
dinner, Portland, Nov. 8:
One of the most interesting details
in the present highway situation, as
we'll to the State Of Maine as to the
country at large, is without doubt
the act which was laid before Presi-
dent Harding last week for sigma
ture. This bill provides for 100000
for the fiscal year 1922, s25.0O0.00o of
it becoming available on passage of
the act and s50.000,000 becoming
available January 1, 1922.
The significant feature of the act is
the restriction which for the first
time has been placed on the distri-
button of Federal aid.
The act provides that each state
shall, together with the Secretary of
Agriculture, and acting with his ap-
proval, lay out a system of Federal
highways on which Federal aid is to
be confined. This system shall COM
prise not more than seven per cent.
Of 10 r.trb1in ~, ri,
state. This system is divided into
two sub divisions, called in the act
primary and secondary highways.
The former consists of three
seventies of the Federal aid highway
system of the state and the latter
four sevenths.
obviously an act OF this kind.
which will have the effect of very
greatly systematizing the extension
feet the several states in Il variety Of
ways. There will be some states
which already have legally estab-
lished state highway systems COM
prising more than seven per cent. of
their state highway mileage. These.
states will have to make a reduction
in their state systems before apply
ing Federal aid. Other states haye
no legally designated state systems
and it will be incumbent upon the
state highway departments doubt
less to establish tentatively such
systems, at least the highway de-
rartments will have to act until such
time as the states can act through
81
rather difficult duty on the states
highway departments. because OF the
inevitable disagreement in the selec-
ton of so important a system of
roads as the Federal aid highway
system in each state will be. In at
least one state there has been -des-
ignated by state Legislature q system
of primary and secondary state
roads. The mileage of the primary
state system is. roughly. seven per
cent. of the total mileage of state
highways and, therefore. i'll that
state Federal aid will probably be
applied to the primary state system
only and this under the Federal law
will itself be divided into primary
and secondary Federal aid roads.
Minor complications of these kinds
are going to occur in u very large
number Of the states and are in
evitably going to delay the continue
ton of the Federal aid program
somewhat until the necessary ad-
justments can be made. but the State
of Maine is apparently. to be free
from. conditions of this kind. Your
present state system consists essen
TALLY of 400 miles of primary state
roads. This is less than seven per
cent. Of your total mileage, so that
by agreement with the Secretary of
Agriculture you :can as desirable
add TO your present legally desgnat-
ed state system You have confined
Federal aid construction TO the pri-
mary system and the work of com
pleting the 400 miles is well ad-
vanced. The State Highway Depart
ment will not have to assume the
burden. of designating a seven per
cent. system, nor will it be necessary
to await action by your state legis-
lature, nor are funds wanting at this
time to prosecute the work at a rea-
sonably rapid rate.
1t would seem that the Legislature
OF 1918, which after very careful
thought devised the present plan of
construction for the State, acted more
wisely than they knew. because there
is hardly a State in the Union in
better condition today to continue
Federal aid operations than the State
OF Maine. and so far as l can see at
this time no alterations in the present
State laws are necessary for the most
harmonious and satisfactory cooper