Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-04
A MATTER FOR CAREFUL CON.
SHERATON

The report Of the committee chosen
bv the Maine Federation of Agricul-
tural Associations to investigate the
highway problem in this state, maze
public at the convention at Orono
last week. should receive careful con-
alteration. And while casual read
ing is sufficient to convince one that
70 Il will make n powerful appeal 10
those who want good roads all over
the state there are significant fea-
lures which should not be hastily
considered. Any conclusion respect
ing this report should not be reached
until ali the facts are weighed.
'In order TO understand thorough
~ the situation IT is perhaps neces-
sarv 10 consider tho road problem of
tho state in its entirety and also TO
note what has been accomplished
with the great expenditures OF money
already made" say the committee. 1t
perhaps" Thorough understanding
NAV be had in no other way than by
considering the entirety. The prob
lon Is a big one and some of the
propositions made by the committee
.ppcar designed 10 interfere with
system which has proved so success
ful in Maine as to make those living
on the cross roads wish for the same
kind Of road in front Of their dwell
ing. A laudahe wish, which, how
ever. in Justice 10 all should not be
urduly encouraged before means OF
satisfying It may lie found. Have
the committee found those means?
And will the dwcller on the cross
road he as well off il he gets better
highway 10 the main road only to
find that in poor condition?
one 81 the fundamentals OF the
change proposed by the committee
could not he secured without undoing
what was done by the referendum
only last September. We have re-
coived no information indicating that
the people wish to undo that work.
II the committee have received such
Information Il would be interesting to
learn what It Is also what are the
sources from which 1t came.
Tho report favors the division cf
tho roads into three classes first Sec
ond and third. The present law pro-
vidcs as follows: first, state high
ways, which shalt mean a system of
connected main highways through
out tho state: second, state aid high
WAYS. which shall mean such high
WAYS not included in the system OF
rtate highways rs shall he thorough
fares between principal settlements
md their market or shipping point
and in So far as practicable feeders
to tho state highways; third, third
class highways, which shall mean all
other highways not included in the
two classes above mentioned"
Wherein Is the committees classical
ton any Improvement on the pres
cnt one?
Boiled down don't the committees
recommendations amount simply to
so amending the Constitution as to
permit some Of the money, now being
Systematically used in first putting
the roads bearing the heaviest traf-
fic in shape, into the hands of the
towns 10 expcnd on any road within
the limits OF tho town? II so, and
tho inference seems to he inevitable
viii II not be well to consider long
and carefully before requiring the
state to issue bonds for money TO
he thus expended by the towns vir-
tually for the maintenance Of those
roads, Any public improven frt for
which VIC issue bonds should, il we
arc 20 he honest with those who come
after us, be Of longer life than the
term Of the bond. otherwise we will
simply he issuing bonds for current
Expenses. Opinion would not hold in
high esteem ono who would have his
tailor's bill charged up TO his children,
though he were TO argue that little
Willie might have vest made Of the
trousers after he himself was through
with them.
The policy Of issuing bonds for
highways is meeting with less and
less favor. Massachusetts. for in
stance. hasn't issued bonds for this
purpose for several years, preferring
the policy OF pay as you 60" And
when Is considered the tremendous
increase In demands on the high
ways Il becomes evident that the
next generation will have enough to
do 10 keep pace with the require
mcnts OF Its day. As a general prop
osition those In whose interest the
roads are worn out should pay for
them. The maintenance should be
systematic and not left subject to the