Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-12-31
THAT HANCOCK ROAD.
Opponent OF New Location Asks
Legislative Investigation.

! Junction, VINO mas Deen Il persistent
and active opponent of the proposed
new location for federal-aid high
way from Ellsworth into Hancock
and east, cites many reasons which
in his opinion justify legislative in
vestigation of the proposed new
route He writes:
There are twenty good and suf-
| fcient reasons why we should ask for
| a legislative investigation of the ac-
! tfons of the engineers and State
| Highway Commission in laying out
| that proposed State road in Ellsworth
and Hancock, and which they so per
sistently tried to push through in the
| face of unanimous opposition as eX-
pressed at a meeting in Ellsworth
called by the commission on Febru-
airy 6, last.
/. Because there is no public
necessity whatever, calling for a
State highway over the proposed
route, and every dollar of the tax
payers money so invested would be
worse than wantonly wasted.
2. Because, geographically, it is
poorly located for the general public
convenience. going around Washing
ton Junction (the most important X.
r. junction between Bangor and
Calais) and leaving it disconnected,
matter of two miles from any first
class State road.
3. Because for the most part, the
new route runs through poor land for
a road-hilly at both ends, one sec
ton very stumpy and woody, with
long stretch of low, Doggy land, max
ing it a very expensive way to bulld
and maintain.
A. Because very heavy land dam
age will be asked by, at least, two OF
the parties over whose land it runs,
making expensive litigation almost
certain if the road is ever built.
5. Because it will throw upon the
city of Ellsworth and the town of
Hancock, to rebuild and keep in re-
pair, matter of four and one-half
miles of much-traveled way, greatly
adding to the high tax burden of said
city and town, more especially the
latter.
6. Because the road that would
be thus abandoned is one of the best
pieces of road land, if not the very
best, that can be found in the State,
and the road one of the most neces-
sary for general public convenience
7. Because it would damage the
land owners along that four and one
half miles many thousands of dollars
and greatly hurt the Maine Central
railroad.
s. Because it breaks the general
laws and rules governing good road
engineering-tha the State high
ways, where possible, should connect
with all important railroad stations
and functions. the one helping the
other, and thereby the general public.
8. Because even the cost of one
overhead bridge at Washington
Junction (and such a bridge is not
yet necessary would be infnitesmal
compared with the direct and indirect
cost of the proposed road,
10 Because, at a hearing last
February at Ellsworth, for the evil
dent purpose of getting the inter
ested citizens of Ellsworth and Han
cock to ratify the laying out of said
proposed road, it was unanimously
opposed
IL Because, in spite of this
unanimous opposition, most clearly
expressed by the citizens of Els
worth and Hancock, the said pro-
posed road was soon advertised for
bids for its building, bids were re-
ceived, but it appears none were ac-
cepted by the commission. Why?
IL. Because we are just passing
through an era of most reckless and
destructive extravaganza in nearly
all the departments of State and
nation, and now just trying to make
forced start in the way of retrench-
ment.
13. Because many of said citi-
zens wish to know why there has
been so much unnecessary expense in
surveying two routes for the said pro-
posed highway
IA. Because the present State
road from the east line of Ellsworth
to about one-half mile beyond Nc
Farland school, having been
neglected for years by the State is
very much in need of rebuilding, and
{
mated to build the proposed new road
would put said old road in first-class
condition.
Is. Because this new road propo-
sition, when wisely considered, look
ing at il from every angle, shows up
as a great error, having not one re-
/ deeming feature, and one that a
great many citizens are agreed could
not have been one wholly of judg-
ment
16 Because the commission,
/ with the engineers, being virtually
indicted, have a right to a hearing
! that they may have an opportunity to
/ vindicate themselves, and should well
come such an opportunity
II. Because The public wishes to
know the origin Of the propaganda,
/ This proposed road or no road"
4 that was evidently circulated for the