Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-08
Thursday, September 8, 1921.
COMMISSIONER NELSON'S
COMMUNICATION

. pubISheC IN TINS issue, VIII DC looHu'
we are sure, gratifying to those who
believe the State under no conditions
should bono succeeding generations
for the maintenance OF it's highways
or for any purpose other than for the
permanent improvements. We are
unable to see. however, in what way
this declaration may be brought into
accord with support Of the proposed
amendment, which IL it passes must
result in bond money being applied to
maintenance unless sufficient funds
may he found elsewhere.
We regret, if through misconcep-
ton Of Mr.. Nelson's attitude we
caused a wrong impression Of it, but
we must admit, even now, after care
fully reading his letter. that we are
not quite sure we fully understand
his policy. He favors the amendment
which necessarily must delay the
work on the trunk lines and yet he
declares: Il want to see this trunk
line system spread over this entire
State as quickly as possible, and the
State Aid or feeding roads carried
along at the same time This surely
is pleasing to everybody provided it
is within the States means, There
can be no question such a program
will call for an enormous expendi-
ture for foundations, whatever meth
cd Mr.. Nelson may have discovered
for safely and inexpensively surfac-
ing the roads and preserving the
foundations from disintegration.
The money which the amendment
would divert from the trunk lines
may not be replaced by bond issue
before three years at the least. which
surely isn't spreading the trunk sys-
tenn las fast as possible"
And with regard to what he terms
hap hazard and inconsistent way"
which he is trying to put on a sound
basis. we had supposed legislative
tinkering had much to do with the
complication Of the laws, and believe
this proposed amendment would be
another and aggravating instance of
such tinkering. The source of rem
edy for the existing complication of
laws would seem to be the Legisla-
ture.
He refers in his letter to building
seven miles of concrete road at $780,
600 per mile adjoining twenty-five
miles OF road left unimproved, and
presumably as much in need of i'm
provement. Just where that road is
located does not appear and any in
formation of such a road is lacking;
indeed we have been unable to find
the roads on which it is said $4,000 a
mile has been spent. At the begin
ing of the year there was in the State
but % miles of concrete surfaced
road, none of which it is said cost as
much as $4,000 a mile.
There undoubtedly exists in the ru-
raj sections a belief that the areas
with the larger populations have been
favored at the expense OF the rural
oil
seems 10 be in support if not encour-
agement OF that opinion. In the in
terests OF fairness-so much needed
in the proper solution Of these prob
lems~-we regret that he makes no
mention OF the contribution which
the automobiles have made to road
building in this State.
included in the recent statement of
the Maine Automobile Association. a
statement well worth the reading by
those who wish information respect
ing the present situation. is the I'M
disputed declaration that SautomobiI
lists are furnishing the money TO pay
the interests on the bonds. paying
nearly all the costs of maintaining
state and State Aid roads. also the
the expenses of the Secretary of
states office SO far as automobile
laws are concerned. purchasing the
number plates and paying the traffic
officers for the enforcement of the
motor laws, as well as the expenses
of the Highway Commissions Of
Gee"
May it, not be possible that these
facts havr, been given consideration.
and properly so, in determining the'
roads to be first rebuilt, rather than
purpose to build fine and costly
ooulevards for a favored few? And
by the way the whereabouts of those
houlevards should be inquired into.
II this kind. of management has
obtained. the public should be given
definite information concerning it.
Perhaps it may then appear that
these same roads are subjected to
the heaviest traffic and are really ac-
comodating number of people so
large as to warrant whatever ex-
penditure has been made on them.