Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-04
A COMMISSION
NEED AFFIRMED \
BY WADDELL REPORT

| IL "nOS666 stSs w
Since DIR. J. A. l.. Waddell made
his report on the various sites for a
| bridge across the Kennebec River at
| Bath interest in the general subject
/ of bridging the Kennebec has been
growing and has been taking the
form of inquiry as to what real facts
are available on the general propo-
sition of bridging the river.
| On February 4th a hearing was
had over the creation of a commits
sion to fix on q site of the bridge.
1t was then contended that COM
mission should be appointed to make
a thorough investigation of all the va
] rious sites and their availability, not
| as a local matter but as a state pro-
position, and report back their find
| ings to the Legislature. This COM
| mission was opposed by Senator
| Carlton who inquired of the propon-
ents of the measure if they We're
aware that borings and estimates
had already been made by the best
! engineers. Mr.. Carlton contended
| that all that was necessary had been
done and inquired what commits
sion, if appointed, could do. Mr.. Mac
Lean, representing those asking for
! an appointment of a commission re-
| piled, 1T could so to Mr.. Waddell
and ask him about the railroad ap-
| proaches and about the borings; how
many of them went to bed rock and
| how many did not; to which Mr..
| Carlton replied that he did not see
any need of a commission.
| The proponents of the Richmond
/ bridge project are saying that: at
| this time the only site at Bath with
| reference to which any figures or
! estimates had been given was the
Carlton site SO. called and this was
the site with reference to which all
| inquiries were directed. Up to this
time no other site at Bath had been
! given any serious consideration.
| There were many who had come to
accept this as the only practical site
and this was the site adopted for the
| location of the bridge two years ago
and approximately the same site
provided for in Mr.. Cartons bill
now before the Legislature.
In view of the many assertions
that ample and sufficient investiga-
ton had been made to warrant the
| state authorizing the bridge to be
| built on this site, they say, surprise
is felt by many that Mr.. Waddell in
| his report has not even considered it
in his estimate of the four layouts
| worthy of serious consideration"
! Referring to his work on the 18th
| day of February, Mr.. Waddell in his
report says: This days work con-
! WINGED me of the futility of a pro-
| ject that L had had in mind for two
and one half years, viz: running the
western railroad approach by means
of rather sharp curve from the end
| of the west main span Of the Middle
| Crossing, down along and close to
| the bluff, SO as to join the existing
railway track on Front street and by
! it to reach via Commercial street,
| the depot of the Maine Central Rail-
| road"
There are those who suggest that
| had this days work been put in some
| two and one-half years ago, it might
| have saved a considerable contro-
| NerSy and discussion. 1t is also
claimed that it develops that the an
swer to the first half of Mr.. Nc
Leans question which he stated he
would put to Mr.. Waddell were he
present, is fatal TO the Carlton cross
! ing, SO called.
| In the course of his report, Dr..
| Naddell points out various reasons
| why in the opinion of the oppon-
| entS the Carlton location is entirely
| lmpracticable. The abandonment of
the Carlton site as one not worthy
| of serious consideration" after all
! the assertions and statements which
| nave been made to the effect that
| all information necessary for the
4 nnCtr1lrtinn of h,-l
had been obtained. is raising serious
| question in the minds of those who
| feel that q bridge should not be built
except ON reliable and dependable in
| formation. They point out that there
! is nothing hidden or concealed about
! the physical features with reference
| to the Superstructure of the bridge.
| but that the bottom of the river up-
! on which the Substructure must rest
! can be ascertained only as n result
OIL careful investigation, and they in
slst that no such investigation has
| been made of the river bottom at
Bath. They ask, if days work
! may blast the assertions of two
! years on the faith of which MANY
! members of the legislature voted.
what may happen as the result of a
| careful investigation of 4 river bot
! tom with respect to which only the
most superficial borings have been
made and only four of which have
struck bed rock at widely separated
points and i'll connection with which
no core borings of that rock have
been made to determine whether il
IS boulder, ledge, or otherwise. They
/ state that interpretations between So
lew borlngs may be entirely mis- =
leading.
IN ms connection it will be noted
| from Dr.. Waddelrs rcDort tbat ~
| attempted to make rod behring's tn
! hed rock near the two ends of the
ioWer crossing in order to determine
! now lar into the stream the lodges
! extended but was unsuccessful as
! me rock was too far down to be
ie"cheu by this method of boring.
AS mas been several times stared
| IN the press saw tho frio,d, IS 49,,