Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-01
little HOPE OF COAL AGREEMENT
STRONG OPPOSITION
TO PROPOSED ROAD
EUSTIS TO CANADA
Especial to Kennebec journal,


Eustis. Me-. Aug. Slater a
lengthy hearing in the town hall here
today on petition for the construc-
ton of road from this place to the
town of Woburn, in Quebec, Canada,
the county commissions OF Frank
lin county, C. II. Harrington of
Chesterville, j. E. Voter Of Kingfield
and w. F. Mosher of Pennington, re-
served their decision. The PROPOSE
ton was opposed by the landowners.
The petitioners were represented
by Cyrus n. Blanchard Of Wilton
and Herbert S. Wing of KingfieId.
Petitions asking for the construc-
ton Of the road signed by 3401 per-
sons were presented to the county
commissioners.
The proposed road would start
from Eustis and go through Jim
Pond Township. Alder Stream Town
ship. Chain OF Ponds Township and
Coburn Gore to Woburn, In Quebec.
a distance of % miles.
The petitioners contended that
public necessity and convenience re-
quire the construction of the road
Maine to Canada in this section of
the State except by way of Jackman.
The petitioners claim that the road
will cost between $4,000 and $780,
900 as there is a fairly passable road
over the route for 10 miles to the
foot of Chain of Ponds.
1t is the plan of the petitioners
that the first assessment be made on
the county of Franklin and the land
owners and then with State and
Federal assistance the road would be
travel equal to any ROAD in the
State.
Attorney Blanchard in his argu-
ment declared that this proposed
road is an ideal spot marked out by
nature as the connecting link be-
tween Canada and Maine and is the
route followed by Benedict Arnold in
his expedition to Quebec.
The Opposition
Opposition OF a lively nature de-
veloped against the granting of the
petition from the y landowners
through whose property the road
would run. They claim that their
property would be damaged because
of the increased fire hazard and if
the road is built at all it should be BY
State and Federal aid. The land
owners include the Brown Estate of
Portland. the Coburn Estate of
Skowhegan, and Blaine s. Viles OF
Augusta.
1t was brought out at the hearing
that the petitioners had neither gone
to the State Highway Commission
nor to the legislature asking for aid
in the construction Of the proposed
road.
The opponents OF the petition were
represented by United States District
Attorney Frederick r. Dyer of Port
land, Herbert L. Locke OF Augusta,
sherman NJ. Shumway of Skowhegan
and Frank w. Butler OF Pennington.
Attorney Butler argued that 1t
would cost between $4,000 and
it would cost quite a penny to keep
it in condition.
I'VE fail to see where any results
would come to Franklin county,
said Attorney Butler. ITO justify the
expenditure of this vast sum OF
money. 1t is too much of burden
for the landowners and the people
of Franklin county to carry
A. Z. Herrick of Rangeley also OPP
posed the granting of the petition.
He said that there were miles of I'M
developed shore property in the
Rangeley Lakes region and believed
that if a road was to be built, it
should start from Rangeley.
Attorney Dyer said that he was
willing to put up the proposition of
building the road to the State High
way Commission.
Henry F. Hill of Augusta. a civil
engineer. testified to making a sur
vey Of the proposed road. and James
H. Kerr of Rumford. a road builder
and contractor. testified that from
Mr. Hills report he should say that
the proposed road would cost $780,
mn