Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-14
Highway Department
Engineer Talks Before
D. A. r. Members

Inc necu OF real engineering and
real supervision in tho field was
what l.. n. Edwards. engineer from
the Maine tSate Highway Commits
sion. took for the keynote of his talk.
Tuesday afternoon before koussinoc
Chapter. ID. \. K.
By way of q general introduction
Of his subject. the speaker discussed
briefly. the development Of high.
ways in the British Isles prior to
the period of the American Revolu-
ton, pointing out important acts of
Parliament intended to create the
construction of public highways and
turnpikes. Incidental to this discus
sion he described briefly the devel-
opment Ct British bridge corstruc-
llon. more especially that relating to
the earlie:t use of iron rs a bridge
construction material.
In the description of the earliest
DEVELOPMENT Of American highways
mention was made of the adoption
Of modes of travel in use in Europe
and it was specially piinted out that
our system of stage coach service
IN common use in the early portion
Oh the 18th century was patterned
after the British system. This was
practically the only means of trans
portation used by travellers for over
land journeys prior to the develop
ment of the railroads.
In describing the development Of
hlghway bridges. Mr.. Edwards stat
ed That the earliest bridges of the
moneers were undoubtedly of the
simplest form and they were pri-
marlly a mans to an end, in that
uey were built to cross streams
winch their users could not ford.
however. as the highways connect
ing the pioneer settlements develop
ed, the art Of bridge building devel-
9led correspondingly, and can truly
oe said to be American since sever
al types of structures were created,
which were entirely original. Incl
uental TO this discussion of types OF
early American bridges. it was point
gu out that the original York River
urdge built by Major Samuel Sew
al, IN 1851, was the second bridge
VI Importance built in New Eng
.sha and the first one Of Importance
70 De built in the then district Of
IN showing the evolution which has
saAen place in the construction OF
lhshWay bridges, it was clearly in
uta'ed that this evolution has been
.o'neldent with the changes involv-
"a IN the hehicular highway travel,
Nhlch has largely been due to the
seneral Improvement of the high
Ways. Special attention was drawn
~ ~ me fact that the bridge engineers
W quarter century ago could not
posslbiy have foreseen. the radical
eaanses involved in the development
t y. me present day high power motor
hask and the increased strength Of
~.tuse structure required for its
E ss,e service. In general, stated Mr..
o EDWARDS. bridge engineers seek not
any 10 keep abreast of the present
10Y 10y traffc requirements as far as
we strength of bridge structures are
tt W but in addition endeavor
"a ioresee. insofar as possible. the
s ss,Nce which future developments
viii demand.
a. delightful musical program was
, .rs Miss Caroline +. Chase
Sr u MISS Evelyn Sears played in
w uueI' Overture to Oberon" which
p pas much enjoyed. Mrs. Robert
ar nl,rldge sang and her solos. which
ing ing also al most enjoyable. were "Nest-
.Is Tine" Loves a Merchant" and
Laannby Love"
mn nnlee new members were unani-
h eiussly elected at this meeting, they
r tns, Miss Gertrude Trafton, Mrs.
sor ,u burrill and Mrs. Eloise Ander-
d,"ns out OF town guests at the Tues
Ho,,.aal 'ernoon meeting were. Mrs:
tho ~. wife Of Speaker Holley OF
Mrs M e House of Representatives
al ne Gu, onaw. wife Vt Attorney Gcner--
Ser m'.aw and Mrs. Elliott, wife OF
TrSS.or Elliott of ThomastOn.
THIS nostesses were Mrs. Mabel
Mr. Mrs. Cassandra Hall and
colI COIL. John Thompson. A delicious
noorio n was served after the after
held :. program. The meeting was
wv IN the Elks, home