Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-03
Betterment Roads
Continued from PAGE One)

! tonight, for those present are and
have been consistent and loyal sup
porters of the Good Roads Move
ment' in Maine. You have accom-
| plished a great deal for the welfare
of our state. This organization is
not one of those that indulge in use
| less talk and makes promises: it is an
! organization of workers who have
/ definite ends in view. and who every
| year have the satisfaction of seeing
| marked improvements made in all
| branches of road work. The state
| has reason to be proud of YOU and
, Of what you have done.
Tenth Anniversary 1913-1o23
The year 1923 is an anniversary we
| do we'll to observe. 1t marks the
tenth milestone in our road program
and | believe you will be interested
to a brief survey of the ten years
| work. First. I want to say that
have travelled over all of the princi-
pal roads in Maine and over thous-
ands of miles of cross roads, and as
governor of the state l have no apOl-
ogies to make for them. Taken, by
| and large. our roads are remarkably
good. when one considers their vast
extent, and our limited financial
resources. The year 1913 was
! turning point in Names history. Up
to that time the state had no definite
road program, and the Good Roads"
movement was in its infancy. Today
our state highway system is laid out
form one end of the state to the other.
and the state aid and third class
roads supplement it. and brings our
outlying sections into one complete
system. In 1913 good roads were few
and far between. Today it is uni
versaly agreed that there is no
branch of the states work more i'm
portant or more vital than that of
providing suitable highways for our
people and our industries. With an
ever increasing public sentiment to
support our road program we are
bound to advance steadily ahead
every year.
Beginning with nothing in 1918, we
actually have constructed f43 miles
Of first class roads and 1927 miles OF
second class roads at a total cost of
$7.323,673.5 This however repre-
sents only small fraction Of what
| has been accomplished and does not
| include the vast amount of work that
| has been done by our towns and
| cities.
In 1913 the state spent on roads
! S541, 37&.71. received from taxes and
auto fees; while in 1923 $3,029,504.4S
will be spent according to present
estimates. an increase of 5000. The
total amount spent during the ten
year period under direction of the
state highway commission is $751;
| 961 .455.31.
Federal aid roads now under con-
struction and 1929 projects completed
this year total 1921 miles, at a cost
of $2774, SO9.S0, while End class roads
| for the same period cover 1870 miles
and cost $S52,272.1G. The 3rd class
| mileage now being undertaken is not
as extensive as it should be, for these
roads serve the rural communities
| and are vital to them. This class of
roads has been too much neglected in
the past and the time has arrived
when the pressing needs of the small
| places must be recognized and pro-
vided for There will be an improve
ment beginning in 1924.
The bonded indebtedness of the
state that we have incurred for roads
| is comparatively small, considering
| the total valuation of our state, which
| is S672, 767,742. Bond money amount
ing to $9.S1S,5O0 has been spent on
| roads during the period in question.
and there now is available $1,004,50O
| for work to be done after January l,
1924.
Federal Aid
The present system of federal aid
has meant good deal to the state,
| and the United States government
has contributed during the years
1917-1923. inclusive, S4.403,51S. or
| S14,6S9 per mile. The sum of SS24,-
SS923 of federal money is still avail
able for the state under existing fed
eral laws. This federal aid money
however is not an unmixed blessing.
Ever since I became governor l have
| felt that the states of the union were
contributing vastly more to the fed
, eral government than they were re-
ceiving from them. AS an example
of this, the total amount received by
the state for federal aid in our sew
eral departments is hardly more than
1890 of what Maine pays to the
| Washington government in income
and inheritance taxes alone, and this
includes federal contributions not
only for roads, but for forestry,
health. schools. and other purposes.
From these two sources alone the