Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-09

has been favored by those dlSSatls-
fed with the work of the present
commission and who evidently hope
through this change to modify the
present system of road building, a
system established by the Legisla
ture and which would have to be
changed by that body and not by the
commission. if change be made
Those interested in the endeavor to
secure this appeal to voters living
off the trunk line roads on the
ground that a new commission in
some way. not made clear, would take
part of the money, now being used to
put the trunk lines in shape to bear
the traffic, and use it on back roads,
a proposition naturally pleasing to
those who happen to live on those
roads.
They, or at least some of them,
profess that this may be done with
out injury to the system provided for
by the Legislature, but so far have
not definitely shown how this may be
done. They say too much money has
been spent on the system of trunk
lines, but saying so doesn't prove
it, and we haven't yet seen proof
of 4boco occartioOc
The records of the highway work
are evidence that roads built in 1914
show over a period of six years an
average maintenance cost of $3.50 of
the original cost. Seven sections of
bituminous macadam, aggregating p
miles in length required in mainten-
ance 100 of the original cost and 81
sections of gravel road required $40
and one gravel road undergoing
heavy traffic showed a percentage of
1872 of the original cost. These are
mentioned as the voter should con-
slider the results Of experience rather
than the mere say-so Of some inter-
ested party who has no proof to back
up his assertions.
Furthermore, the voter should not
forget that the matter Of mainten-
ance is a very important feature.
The State gets certain money from
the Federal Government with the
stipulation that the roads on which
it is used shall be properly kept up.
Everyone who rides knows that I'M
less the trunk lines are kept up under
heavily increasing travel Maine
would not only lose the Federal aid
but would quickly arrive at condi-
lions which would be intolerable.
Neither should they forget that this
State has Of roads as much mileage
as all the rest Of new England. 1t
cannot afford to build poor roads, ex-
pensively maintained, on its lines un-
dergoing the heaviest traffic and fac
ing greatly increasing demands
the thickly settled communities build
their own roads-neither can it af-
ford to do both this and in addition
thereto do all that Is wished for all
the $4,000 miles of road in Maine.
1t would be indefensible in common
sense or morals to bond the next
generation for the roads we are
wearing out. Those who are wearing
them out should pay for the privi-
lege. But there is a limit/to that
which we may pay. Systematic, in
telligent, n-political effort Is alb
solutely necessary if we would keep
out Of serious trouble. The State
easily might. would incur enormous
debts il it submits to any other
method; If the commission becomes
susceptible to political or sectional in
fluences; if theory be accepted in
place Of demonstrated fact; if money
is to be voted to placate people here
and there; If we forget that the peo-