Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-03-19
CORRESPONDENCE.
The EllswOrth-Ha Road.
Marlboro, Me-, Mare


To the Editor of The American:
l have tried to approach the ques-
ton of the proposed new Ellsworth
Hancock highway with an open mind.
| have listened attentively to the
arguments pro and con, and | am con-
WINGED that the proponents are not
in harmony with what is best for the
county of Hancock and the State of
Maine
l propose to argue this from a
State and county standpoint. l am
resident of the town of Hancock, and
should any citizen desire to enter the
controversy relative to the good de-
rived by Hancock alone. | would be
very pleased to do so, because | am
of the opinion that much could be
! shown wherein bond-to-be-ridden
Hancock cannot in justice to its
future finances stand the burden.
A grave situation is confronting
the State of Maine in two important
instances. 1t must compete, at once,
with the South in cotton textile in
dustries. and with the West in shoe
manufacture. In the not-dlstant
future, these industries must be sub
sidized, in some manner, or they, of
necessity, must leave our cities. And
in the second instance, something
more than theory must be brought
forward for agriculture, which is not
advancing by any notable strides
We, perhaps, are not giving too
much attention to the subsidy of our
summer business, but we are GER
tainly giving more than the State of
Maine can stand, and this proposed
new road is nothing else. In fact, it
is a severe blow to agricultural in
terests..
1t is argued that we had better ac-
cept the free gift CD from our State
because it will go to some other sec
tion if we do not accept as proposed.
Such argument is idle chatter. The
Atlantic highway is already con-
templated from Washington, D. c., to
Calais, Maine, and will go via Ellis
worth and Hancock. The only ques-
tion is the most feasible roulette
road as it now runs, with some
Strengthening, or the proposed new
route The former will cost many
thousand dollars less than the lat
ter
We must be careful that we do not
''kill the goose that lays the golden
egg and l firmly believe it is not
the nonresident who, a few weeks
during our warm months, comes
within our borders for recreation
but the citizen who remains on
Names soil, struggling for better
home and Names advancement that
lays the prize.
1t is believed, by not a few, that
could our agricultural interests have
the money spent needlessly by our
highway commission, a noticeable
showing could be made along the
line of improving our deserted farms.
We see considerable and hear much
that invites summer visitors here, but
what inducements are spread before
the class we desire to remain with
us year in and year out?
Mr.. Editor, | am of the opinion
that your editorials and the intlu-
entail citizenship of Ellsworth, may
possibly check the proposed ruthless
expenditures of public money. The
State of Maine, to-day, has more road
mileage than its wealth can stand
The county of Hancock cannot, only
in absolute necessity, take on the
building of new roads, and the city
of Ellsworth and the town of Han
cock are not taking proper care of
the roads they now own.
You are doing the public a great
justice when you WELD your pen for
the protection of our industries, for
the advancement of agriculture, for
the betterment of education, and the
improvement of our highways. In
deed, for one, am grateful for the
force you employ against the con-
struction of new highways where the
same, in reality are not needed and
out of harmony with the best inter
ests of Names citizenship.
Yours respectfully,
l.. l.. Brown.
Il