Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-17
Editorial Comment
TOHoTTH8 d SCVUFu'eT
(Maldcn Evening News)

NMdldCH LSCulliS ANC"o/
Considerable space has been given
in Maine papers of late to a propoS-
ed new highway to be known as the
Arnold trail. Incredible as it may
seem, this highway is named in hon
OF of the traitor Benedict Arnold, the
worst scoundrel in American history.
The trail as laid out by the commits
sioncrs of Franklin county is over the
route taken by Arnold in his futile
attempt to capture Quebec during
the Revolutionary war. There was
nothing about that expedition worth
bringing to memory every time d
motorist drives over that route. We
celebrate with pride the failure of
the Colonial arms at Bunker Hill, but
the proposed attack on Quebec was i'll
advised and resulted in disaster.
But to couple with a splendid high
way the name of Benedict Arnold
seems an insult to the memory of the
brave soldiers of that great war. No
state is more rich in great names
than Maine. She gave to the war of
the Rebellion General Hiram G. Ber-
ry, after whom the Grand Army post,
Maiden, is named, who fell at
charlottesville; General Plaisted,
from Augusta, General Conner from
Bangor who lost a leg in action, and
General Chamberlain, who was on
Grants staff when Lee surrendered
and who afterwards became presi-
dent of Bowdoin. To the councils
of the nation she gave Blaine. Reed,
Hamlin, and Dingley. There has al
ways been in histories of this coun-
try printed in England and in some
of them here sckly sentimentality
reNcusinS Arnold and almost idoliz-
ing the spy Andre, who was caught
with the papers in his boots selling
out West Point. The reputation of
Washington has been challenged be-
cause he refused to commute the
hanging of Andre. The names of
the three American soldiers, who
caught Andre and who, despite his
efforts to bride them. held him a
prisoner. are forgotten. The English
point with pride to bust of this spy
in Westminster Abbey. Even Wood
row Wilson in his History of the
American People" half excuses Ar
mold by saying that "a thousand
subtle forces of encouragement and
social temptation had been at work
upon him, and he yielded" Since the
day it took place, the treachcry of
Benedict Arnold has been held in
meaSureless contempt by the Amer
fcarf people, and we believe they re-
sent highway or anything else
being built to pcrpetuate his memory.
Snow on Highways
:. portland EXpress)
An interesting experiment. is being
conducted between Portland and Var
mouth by Ralph b. Rcdfern, of the
latter town. who, as the guiding gen.
ius, and with the financial assist
ance of several of the residents
through Falmouth and Cumberland,
is endeavoring to keep this very i'm
portant thoroughfare open to traffic
by the modern method of tractor and
pillow. This is the first definite at
tempt in the State to keep public
highway open by this means. and it
is being watched with much interest.
Legally such a thing cannot be done
without the permission of the towns
along the way, and there has been
some opposition to the project in
Cumberland, but nothing of a serious
nature.
The question Of the State keeping
certain of the principal highways
open for motor truck traffic through
out the winter is one that Maine
must eventually face. Other states
arc doing it, having found it abso-
utely necessary. and Connecticut
has gone so far in ignoring the horse
drawn sleigh and sled that it is
ploughing its main roads virtually
down to the metal and sanding their
surfaces in many places to keep traf-
fic from slipping.
New Hampshire is p1ouGhing the
road between Portsmouth and New
burypOrt and Massachusetts is keep
ing many of its principal thorough
fares open by means of the tractor
plough
The number Of companies in Maine
that are operating trucks on the
highways for the IL months of the
year makes it necessary to consider
the question of snow removal by the
State rather than by the towns. In
fact, the towns are not equipped to
handle the snow problem to the sat
isfaction of the motor trucks Their
usual method is to use a snow roller,
or else a light horse drawn plough.
shovclling out the drifts which are
too deep for it to negotiate.
Something should be done at the
present Legislature in regard to a law
which will give the state Highway
Department jurisdiction over the
roads in winter as we'll as in sum-
mer. At the present time it has
very little to say about them after the
snow comes. and has not the right
to use a plough over even the State
highways.
The time is coming when it will be
desirable to keep the main line of
traffic between Kittery and Bangor.
via Portland, Bath. Augusta, and
Waterville, and the State highwy be-
tween Portlnd and Lewiston, open
for motor trucks throughout the
winter season. This work can be
done successfully only by the State.
Complaint is made that roads thus
periods of mild weather and rain, but
this is likely to occur under any con-
ditions. There are lots of times dur
ing the winter when the roads are
stripped of snow because of the
weather, Notwithstanding the fact
that no plough has been hauled over
them. The State. however. should
not attempt, at present at least, to
try to keep anything open beyond
one or two trunk lines which would
be constantly used by motor trucks
and where these motor trucks are of
genuine service to the communities
which they serve. The keeping Of
snow off the highways should be
St richly for tho col.o re o;J;rrr b,,e;