Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-02

discussion, although at the very be-
ginning Governor Baxter pointed out
that the State Highway Commission
has the entire responsibility Of the
matter of the approach to the bridge
and that the responsibility of the
Governor and Council did not extend
beyond the construction of the
bridge.
h. 1t was Mr.. Marshall's opinion that
it would be a grievious error to al
low the owners of automobiles, which
constitutes such a large traffic to
and from the State, to pass through
narrow lanes and go out that way.
He thought it would give them a
poor impression of the State when
they first entered it's confines, and
it would be in marked contrast to
what Portsmouth has provided on
its end. He understands that Ports
mouth will spend about $4,000 in
identifying the approach on the New
Hampshire end. He thought no such
sum would be required, however, on
the Maine end.
Points Out Advantages
The big advantages of a Maine ap-
proach to the bridge, which the State
might be proud of. were pointed out
by Mr.. Kicker. He thought it was
one of the most important things for
the State to look after. so far as it
affects automobile transportation
and the comfort and convenience Of
the riders. He thought that unless
improvements were made, automo-
bilists would get poor impression
OF the State of Maine when they en-
tered. He thought that if the loca-
ton of the bridge was left to private
| parties there might be many OBJ
jectionablc buildings erected. and the
situation would not be improved. He
believed that if the State bought the
land and put up one or more build
ings. and had a landscape designer
beautify the tract, it could be so op-
Grated that it would not cost the
State of Maine a dollar. He thought
such buildings as would be erected
would provide an income from the
rental space sufficient to pay the in
terest on 100000. He was in favor
of putting up a rather ornate struc-
ture about one story in height, and
he thought that merchants or bust
ness men in New York or Boston,
would readily take advantage Of the
situation, and thought the rental
could be from 81 to 80 a square foot.
Tabs on Number Cars
for some time to get the number Of
cars that passed over the old Kittery-
| Portsmouth bridge, but was unable to
/ find figures on record. He said they did
the next best thing and had these tab
rlatcG at kcnnebunk on one particular
| day, when he found that 13,400 cars
going east and 1858 going west pass
| cd through that town. He cited this
| to show the great increase Of traffic
! in that section of Maine. He estimated
shat there will be 100000 people come
he thought that about 10000 of these
! will probably cross the bridge there.
| "I think it Will be a great mistake
| if Maine does not find some way to
/ control that entrance from both a A.
nancial ard a civic standpoint" he
said. II fnd that according to the
statistics Of the State industraJ bu-
reau, in seven weeks $4,000 foreign
cars, containing $4,000 people. passed
the otiice of the bureau in Portland"
kittery's Price High
In pointing out that the highway de-
rariment had full authority over the
matter Of the approach, Governor Bax-
ter stated that that department, how
ever. had conferred with them and they
found that the town of Kittery wanted
about $4,000 for a tract of land that
would be necessary for a proper APP
pr roach, although they had found upon
investigation that this same amount
Of land was assessed in the town for
only s12,s0c.
The town of Kittery at a special
meet ing held Nov. voted to reject
the plan recommended by the highway
commission for condemning certain
and for the bridge approach.
Governor Baxter thought possibly
/ THAI :he town of kittery might be ask
cd to contribute part of the cost,
and he hoped that the public spirit
might be so aroused that ultimately
this might be brought about.
Mr. Kicker suggested that possibly
some special legislation might be re-
uuired to bring about development.
Mr.. Kicker thought the new bridge
WOULD be great thing for iKttery,
and would greatly increase the valua-
tiur Of property for miles around, and
he believed the citizens when they
properly understood the matter would
cooperate.
Governor Baxter thought perhaps If
the matter were allowed to rest until
the next town meeting in kittcry. per-
hars some member of the Maine Auto
mobile Association or one or two other
| influential Maine citizens could go to
! kittery anG talk it over with some of
| Their leading townspeople, and perhaps
cone to a favorable conclusion.
| Councillor Clason asked Mr.. Rick
4 err if a delay would be dangerous,
and Mr.. Kicker replied in the afir-
native, especially If the delay were
| too long extended. 1t looked to MFR.
| Kicker like cold business PROPOSE
ton for the town of Kittery, and he
believed that a proper development
of the approach would not only help
| the State of Maine generally but
would be of great benefit to the
town Of Kittery.
Mr.. Kicker called attention by
way of illustration to the fact that
| when the soldiers monument was
| built in Portland. and the old city
| hall was destroyed and a new one