Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-05
COUNT THE COST OF WINTER
ROADS

Cost" is a timely admonition re-
specting any undertaking. 1t applies
to the proposals for keeping Names
highways throughout our Maine win
tiers open to automobile travel.
Whether this effort should be made
or whether it should not. there is, we
believe, an capable fact. that the
ultimate cost Of it will be ire
mendous in the aggregate. Having
determined that, we may with seas
oned Judgment proceed to estimate
the beneficial results and sensibly
determine whether those balance the
costs.
Now as to the costs: has anyone
accurately estimated them? We do
not think this has been done. The
equipment that has been used in
making the experiments. has we be-
lieye, been borrowed equipment and
hardly adequate. How much will it
cost for the purchase and up-keep OF
suitable equipment for keeping the
roads open in suitable manner over
a period of years?
Those successful in the manage
ment of private business surely
would take that factor into consider
alton. Here are other factors they
also would consider: the increased
upkeep of our highways, interference
If any, with distribution OF products
as well as improvements in facilities
for such distribution, who should pay
the bills and who should not. what
increased cost If any would be I'M
posed upon the tranaction of bust
ness. as compared with present costs,
also what if any diminution OF the
cost OF distribution.
Have we considered all those
features, or have We accepted the
statement that all this would be in
line of progress and contribute to
better conditions?
Have we ever in the Spring noticed
a macadam highway that has been
kept open for winter travel noted
that the constant wear Of the chains
in the ruts has seriously impaired the
resistance of that roadway to the
disintegration which quickly fol-
lows when such a surface admits
moisture? The rest of the road will
not need resurfacing, but it is
practically impossible properly to
treat those tracks alone. In the
run of the years this factor in dis
indignation inevitably would augment
the costs of upkeep greatly.
Are the roadways to be kept open
in width sufficient to accommodate
passing automobiles, also transporta-
ton by team, and are they for any
considerable time to be suitable for
hauling team loads, and II not will
there not be some damage to facili-
ties for transportation of country
products, and IL so should those
damaged be taxed for being dam
aged?
And while it may not directly be
the duty of the State not to en-
courage extravaganza, it should con-
slider this phase Of the matter as
justly as it should the value of its
contribution to general welfare. The
burden of distribution over our
highways rests not alone on people
as taxpayers, but also as individual
spenders. Now, everyone knows that
the wear Of automobiles is much
greater in winter than in summer;
that they do not keep as well lubri-
Gated, that traversing the tortuous
ruts subjects them to strain. Some
body must pay for that, it is part of
the burden entailed along with win
ter use. Leave that to the indi-
vidual? Yes, but We are talking
about improving the conditions of
society during our Maine winters, are
we not?
Facilities for communication do
promote welfare. The fiivver has,
We believe, been. all things con-
sidered, boon TO the dweller in the
rural communities. but we surely
cannot clear all the roads in winter;
can the farmer with his flivver
share in the benefits Of the cleared
main highways, or on the contrary,