Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-10
1hursssy. November 10. 1921.
lerrnE COOP WORK GO ON

WV WYNN ~ Nv
II tire Maine Automobile Assor.a-
Hon "a nothing more than 70 bring
out one. 4 year svch e cisc1ss:on 0.
CIR roac problems a. that which va.
had 81 III. snnus! meeting O. the
A.soc.at!on, ye,tsrday. (. wo1il6 have
su~nent vsrrzn. tor ..s existence.
Tire Governor veil raid that there
4, 10 bBs,nssz question more import
sy. than that o. or HIGHWAYS. TIE
p.opi. Of mi, state ought 70 be con-
WINGED ~ tia. reeing that they have
s~ven.y million dollars invested in
rnotor vehicles; Furthermore 9. they
bavs 4. propertT, valued sor tax p9r-
pose, ~ six hundred ard 'hirtT-seren
millions. :. in quite comprehens.ble
thst they vii. perceir. the need ~
careful figuring. planning ana tnat
clore attention which evsry business
undcrtak.ng requires for r9ccess.
By this time :. Is 10 he assumed
TREY are conscious ~ certain sdvan-
tsges IL. n good high1ata; they
have acquired certa,n habits % use ~
them which they would he un7ill!ng
~ change; they must be Y not FL
ready conrinccd tina. II costs rnnney
~ run rnotor ynn.cles, more oyer
=
II coa', = lot 70 have the good roads:
that good road. Won't stay good IN
Ies. lookef after eTclcnfly. geal;z-
Ing thege things ard being 2 snnsitie
people trey viii take time ~ corEider
vsrs and means. fUch 20 where The
money is n ronna from srd how 20
wisely expand Il and what type ~
road {, the best, ell things consid
cred
The g1od yoadr in place ~ tho poor
hs-. made al properly along them
more valuable; more profit should he
found in the products because ri the
easier shipment, better facilities 81
communication and transportation.
Those living on those roads arc able
10 DO rnore--unless they spend their
time Joy riding-and even thcn are
IN way 10 save on Gocfor'g Bills
rornn Hhat Of that which they leave IN
the garages.
Whatever other conclusions they
come 10 thay should clearly have IN
mind tina. they don't wish 10 be pix
err" that they viii pay az they go
rather than ark future generations 20
Iay for the roads worn ont by the
prrrent generation. On the other
land, II IT, may be proved that a dol
lar invested in thoae roads VIII more
than pay the interest on the invest
ment In addition 10 repla cling the
capital, then borrowing for such an
enterprise IN communicable. The
preacntation nf data respecting &C.
rncnt roads made by chicf Engineer
Sargent comes under thia head. II It
may he demonstrated that his con-
illusions are correct. IL ne may be
assured OF the perrna1cncc OF such
work a. well az Of the cheapeninp
facilities which It affords to motorists
then should tho state do what a
rhrewd, far-secIng business man
would do in Ike clrcumstancea
The meeting at Portland appears
10 have been especially fortunate az
an occasion for getting at the real
facts respecting our highway dcvcl-
opmcnt. 1t Is gratifying to learn that
the Governor Is convinced that Maine
has nothing to apologize for In the
matter Of roads. that great strides
have been taken since 1913; that reg
istHtion of the motor vehicles IS
making Systematic maintenance
possible; that n continuous policy IL
essential, that We should have the
utmost publicity respecting these
public matters.
All this makes for better roads In
Maine, and better roads will make for
a better Maine. No one would have
the hardihood to'dispute that, but he
could properly add a provlso, namely
that II will not be better Maine
" the roads are not kept safe for
man and beast, affording means Of
travel on foot or by team. To this
tribute It's efforts and is in position
TO make them effective. Let the good
work go on.