Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-21

either side of the roadway OF the
upper deck there would be Sidewalks
for pedestrians.
Is Much Needed
Tho figures which would be pres
ented. Mr.. TuDpcr said. would they
believed. represent the actual cost OF
bridging the kcnncbec at that point.
Speaking further as to the need of
the bridge, he said that everybody
in the State realized how much It
was needed. The state. he said. had
been forced to take over the folry,
formerly operated b. Bath and Wool
wich. when the trunk line Of high
way was completed to the river, as
travel became so great tho lnuni-
cipalitiCS could not afford to E;din-
tain the ferry. This ferry. he sad.
was a burden to the tax payers Of
the State. 1t was burden Il the
railroad and the railroad wou't, pay
good rental for the use Ct this
bridge. He understood that the rail-
road was willing to pay 100000 Il
year for the use of the bridge. 1t
was believed that the bridge should
be at n point near the present ferry,
as to place it elsewhere would mako
such additional cost to the railroad
for approaches that the rental N'ouid
have to be cut.
Time to Build Now
"Now is the time to build this
bridge" declared Mr.. Topper. "and
there is no reason why the bridge
should not he Il free one. l can re-
member when all the bridges across
the Kennebec river were toll bridges.
The toll bridge is a thing of the past
and they are very few now in the
State of Maine. The time is oppor-
tune for the building of this bridge
as there is plenty of labor and ma
terial will never be any lower.
The name of Mayor Frank =. Tor
rey of Bath was greeted with APP
plause, when he was introduced by
Mr.. Upper.
The matter of handling of the
ferry by the Maine Central Railroad
company is a serious matter to us at
Bath" said Mayor Torrey. Il believe
in economy in city and State affairs
but l do not think that it is asking
too much of the State in this
instance. Now is the time to
build the bridge. Bridges are not
built over night and it will take some
years to complete this one. The
bridge would be an asset instead OF
a liability as the ferry is run at
loss. l believe that 1 represent 80
per cent of the people of Bath. who
are in favor of the construction OF
this bridge"
Mayor Torrey was questioned by
Attorney Thomas Leigh Of Angus
ia, representing the Richmond
Chamber of Commerce. the members
of which wish the bridge to be con-
st,ucted between Richmond and
Dresden.
"95 Per Cent" Want it
"How did you find out that 80 per
cent. Of the people OF Bath wanted
this bridge constructed at Bath,
asked Attorney Leigh.
IF you see a large proportion OIL
the population and all favor it. the
natural result is that % per cent. are
in favor of proposition" replied
Mayor Torrey. amid applause.
Attorney Leigh objected to the ap-
plause, saying that if it. continued.
the committee would be in session
until sometime mex, summer.
Senator Bailey of Penobscot' the
chairman of the committee, sad that
the committee was like court and
he asked that the people in the audi
ence refrain from applause.
HAS any action been taken by the
CITY council of Bath in regard to TINS
bridge proposition" asked Attorney
Leigh.
Torrey. ,c.
Mayor Clement w. Wescott OF Bel
fast. was the next speaker.
"A group of business men are
here" said Mayor Wescott, TO I'M
nress this committee Of the import.
ance of this proposition. we are not
here from Belfast on any JOY rae:
1--WE are living today in a rapid nre
way" continued Mayor Wescott'
"The man who attempts to 40 busl-
ness today by mail is way behind the
times. What was luxury OF yester-
day is a necessity today. as today we
are travelling in rapid firm form. ~
surely is not pleasant to have TO wa.
from one to three hours at elthel
Faith or Woolwich to wait LOT 'ne
ferry. ,.A Inn.
We in Belfast favor the Batn ioca'
ton. (Applause.) ,,,,,or
Replying to Mr.. Leigh. Mayor