Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-15
ference $16,05443. A study Of the
statement will verify these figures.

terence 9lo,Uo4.45. A study OF the
statement will verify these figures.
We also publish an itemized state
ment Of the appropriation for the
Highway Department showing in de-
tail how 1t is made up. A brief study
OF this appropriation and considera-
ton Of the deplorable condition Of our
streets and highways shuld convince
any one that every item was pared
down to the least possible amount.
Under the item Of General Expenses
we planned to put all our highways in
passable shape using about 5000 yds.
Of gravel. In it was included the ex-
pense Of repairing the road to South
Gardiner. which alone would cost
$1,000, the balance of $1,000 of this
appropriation to be applied on the
rest Of the streets and highways as
fas as it will possibly go.
$4,000 was appropriated for repay
ing Water Street Included in this
amount was $3.50 for State aid, as
this was necessary in order to get our
share Of the available funds from the
State for this purpose. In studying
the best method of resurfacing Water
street we apparently have made the
mistake of not consulting a certain
lawyer in town and a certain gro
ceryman, but we did consult men Of
years experience in this line of work,
both in our own State and that of
Massachusetts, and got figures from
responsible parties as to the cost Of
this construction. In one respect at
least they differed from the expert of
our learned attorney. who he says adj
vised him that the surface should be
left exposed to the frost for a winter
to settle and in that way get a per-
manent highway. Strange to say our
experts advised us that the frost
raised havoc with our highways down
here and our problem was to keep it
out.
The critics Of the appropriation bill
say. or at least their sole public
spokesman, say that they do not OBJ
ject to any items of the bill except
that for the Highway Department
This narrows the proposition to the
increase of $11,70O in the highway
department. 1t is this that they say
they object to.
Nearly all Of the cities and towns Of
this state take advantage every year
of the state aid provision in our high
way laws. Briefly, it means that If
the city will appropriate certain
WOIh Ou certain
ways, in q manner of construction
approved by the Highway Depart
ment, the state will meet 1t with as
much more; and in certain cases, I'M
der the so-called five times act IL
the city will appropriate four times
the minimum amount for state aid
work, the State will match it with five
times as much.
In exact figures this year for this
city 1t means this: If we appropriate
$1466 the state will give us $1466
more. If, in addition to this, we ap-
propriate four times as much, or
1854, the State will better it to the
amount of 1880. This makes the to-
tai for us to appropriate of $3.50 and
the state will give us sS796, thus
making a grand total Of $16126 for
state aid work.
In view of the deplorable condition
OF our highways. we would like our
critics to tell us whether they think
1t Is good business to spend 1880 II
the state will give us to put with it
to spend on our own roads the sum
Of $S796. Does this appeal to the
citizens of Gardiner as good business
judgment. to get more than two dol
lars worth of highway improvement
Tor every dollar spent! IL It docs
not, then the present city govern
ment is certainly out of touch with
the sentiments of the people whom
they represent, and so sadly lacking
in good business judgment chat re-
call should be had.
II 1t is good business, and other
cities like Bangor and many otheIs
have been taking advantage of ~ for
years. then we may assume thac our
critics would be in favor Of It; and
especially when this is extra aid
which is not available every year, but
apparently is available this year and
IL not taken advantage of now may
not be possible for us to receive for
several years to come.
If We do make our appropriation on
this basis, where would our critics
have us spend the money. The state
says that we can spend it on any
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