Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-10

II has been characteristic of Mayor
Ernest L. McLean's administration,
that in all matters pertaining to the
expenditure of the city's funds. he
mas taken the citizens into his con-
Hdence and honestly endeavored to
give them a proper understanding
OF the administration of the city af-
tairs.-a great big business in which
tue taxpayers are contributing
partners. sharing alike IN the result
ing benefits.
II was in line with this policy of
informing the voters that Mayor Nc
Lean called the Kennebec Journal re-
porter's attention to the work of
cleaning and painting the Kennebec
bridge that Is now going on under
the direction of the F. H. Beal CO. An
estimated expenditure of $4,000 was
allowed for this work this year but
IT has been found that underneath
the paint. the from work Of the
bridge fs IN such condition that
thorough scraping and cleaning are
necessary. and this part of the work
takes more time than the actual lay
ing OF the paint, and the estimate
will probably not be sufficient to
cover the cost OF the work.
1t could not be learned from in
vestigation of the city records that
the super structure Of the bridge
has been painted since sometime
prior to 1914. In that year the wood
block pavement Of the roadway was
laid and at the same time. the SUBJ
structure, or all of that part Of the
iron work beneath the road level.
was wire brushed and given one coat
of graphite paint. Mayor Viles in his
address in 1915. recommended that
the super-structure be scraped and
painted, but 1t could not be found
that this was done. An order for the
| painting of the bridge was introduce
ed two or three years ago and sew
eral of the preliminary steps toward
painting the bridge were taken but
| as a matter of fact the painting was
not begun. The fact however that
| the bridge was seriously in need of
painting at once was known to all
and an order providing that it be
painted was introduced at meeting
| OF the city government early this
| year and received a passage.
1t Is doubtful, however. il there is
anyone VINO fully realized the ur-
| gency and need of this painting Job.
| There is hardly square foot on the
| whole bridge which has not been at
tackled by the rust. There are a num-
pcT VI places which al a casual glance
seem to be covered by rust. Upon
closer examination however. it would
| be found that the paint is checked
| and when looked at through magni-
| flying glass every one of these little
| checks would be found full of rust.
| Over the greater part of the surface,
| however. the inroads of the rust are
| apparent to anyone who will simply
| stop a moment and examine the iron
work of the bridge. There are many
| places. some covering a space foot
| square over which there is not a
| particle of paint and where the rust
! has already eaten into the iron grid
| ers one-eighth and in some PLACES
| at least a quarter of an inch. The
reporter noticed in some instances
where the strapping iron was more
| than half eaten through. Using one
| of the chipping hammers he could
| without any difficulty chip off corrod
ed pieces two and three inches in
| diameter.
There are very few citizens who
! realize the necessity of thoroughly
cleaning the bridge before the paint
is applied. 1t is apparent from ex-
animation of the bridge that in some
of the prior paintings the bridge
has not been thoroughly cleaned be-
| fore the paint has been applied. This
can be easily discovered now by the
! fact that in very many places the
| old paint clearly shows where 1t
was applied over rNsted surface.
In such cases the RANT when re-
| moved diSc1oSes bepeath n tho old