Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-08-22

highways, which was done after
hearings with the citizens of every
county of the State, where all people
interested could be heard. The Com
mission in the ma jority OF cases
made wise selections in the routes
which they designated as State high
ways. A survey made in 1917 indi-
Gated that the State highways passed
through 23S cities and towns. In
which were found seventy-three per
cent of our population and seventy
three per cent of the valuation OF the
State. All Of the cities are connected
ty State highways, all OF the shire
towns are connected by State high
ways, and practically all of the larger
towns and villages. including many OF
the smaller. The State highway sys-
tenn comprises 1860 miles, or about
six and one half per cent Of the rural
road mileage of the State.
State Aid Highways
A system of State aid highways has
been laid out by the municipal officers
and the Highway Commission in CO.
operation. These roads for the most
part are feeders to the State highway
system. They comprise about 5000
miles and constitute about twelve
ror cent of OF" entire rural road mile
age.
Let us not forget at this point that
the State highway system and the
state aid system together comprise a
little rising 45o0 miles Of road. out Of
total mileage of 2S,104, or about
eighteen and one-half per cent. AL
most one fifth OF the entire rural road
mileage is now receiving attention
from the State.
Third Glass Highways
In addition to the above, the legis-
lature in 1919 passed what is
known as the third class high
way law. This law provides
for the selection of a road in
each town whose highway taxation
for a period of five years has been
equal to or more than the average
ate of highway taxation for the
whole State. and to each of these
towns tie state allots a definite
amount per mile for the entire road
mileage of the town. which is ex-
p'liutt ioi tiiS iiiIPioN iiiNiit VI tlIC
third class road. The town has to
make no special appropriation in or
der to secure this money. The State
pays the whole bill. so that there is
virtually a State highway now under
construction in each of the towns
whose highway burden is equal to or
greater than the average highway
burden for the State.
Furthermore, the legislature at
each session through special resolves
| for roads and bridges allots as its
wisdom dictates, a certain amount of
| money for the improvement of special
roads not covered by any Of the pro-
Visions just recited.
Liberal Funds for Rural Roads
| From this point of view it seems
that the State is extremely liberal in
the question of providing funds for
| the improvement of rural roads and
| one may marvel as one rides about
| the State at the large mileage Of i'm
| proved road which one finds in most
I every part of the state.
There is one other point which We
should not lose sight of in the discus
sion of what the State has done for
rural roads. 1t is this: The legisla-
ture has very wisely provided that
| state highway funds shall not be eX-
pended in the thickly settled portion
of any city or town having a popula-
| ton Of $500 inha abitar.T. That, of it,
self, precludes the expenditure Of
State highway money on any but
| country roads.
| City and Village Streets
1t Is true that small mileage OF
village and city streets has been
| built in cooperation with cities and
towns from State aid funds. but it is
| to be doubted if of the total State
| aid amounting to substantially
1900 miles. built from 1913
| t. 1921 inclusive, one could find
fifty miles of city and village streets
| improved by Stat aid. The third
class money. in accordance with the
law. may be expended only on State
aid or third class roads.
Congress Follows Maine
/ 1t is also interesting to note that
whereas Congress in 1916 passed the
| first Federal aid law, providing for
one half the cost of improving roads
| to be selected by the State Highway
Commission, there was no provision
in the law restricting this expendi-
ture except that it should be on ru-
raj post roads. After six years of eX-
porience the Congress in November.
1921, enacted a law providing that
! hcrCaf fter all Federal aid should be
! expended on a system of roads not to
exceed seven per cent of the rural
road mileage of any state and that
| these systems should be so laid out
| III the various states as to connect at
| the state lines. In other words, the
| Congress after six Years OF experience
with Federal aid have passed legisla-
ton which follows exactly along the
lines of the state highway law en-
! acted by our legislature in 1918.
System the Crying Need
| Furthermore. let lis consider for n
moment whether it is wise to attempt
| such a problem as the improvement
| OF our highways without undertaking
/ il in thoroughly systematic
manner A tree cam live without
! its trunk. You nay cut off a mans
arms and legs but his trunk will still
! 1--we Neither car have logical
road Improvement without system
| cf trunk lines or main arteries
Department Accomplishments
| Now just a word IS to the accom-
! plishment Of tn. State Highway De-
partment. Time does not permit in an