Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-16
GOOD HIGHWAY ADVICE
PREVAILS

Some Of us will surely recall how,
several years ago, Mr.. Sargent, chlei
engineer of the State Highway De-
partment, urged upon the public
mind the fact that for highways
subjected to heavy traffic a hard
surface was the most economical In
the end. At that time the advocates
of gravel, instead Of the hard sur
face. were very insistent and were
supported by what seemed to be
prevailing sentiment. Four years ago
the Legislature was asked to make
a law to restrict the State to the
use Of gravel. Now we know that
Mr.. Sargents judgment was correct,
which is not strange seeing that 1t
was based on data that was reliable.
He is telling us the indications are
that the traffic. of the Maine high
ways will be doubled by 1880. We
better listen to him. Speaking be-
fore the, Bangor Chamber Of Com
merce, Thursday, he said:
BASED on the information collect
ed during survey and comparing
this with traffic data collected an
nually since 1916, the indications are
that traffic on our highways will
double by 1880. With this informa-
tion before us, we are in a position
to know definitely how to proceed
with the development Of our high
way system to meet future traffic
needs. Every citizen of the State
interested in highway traffic should
exert his influence to see that these
needs are properly met"
Managers of big business-and If
anyone has the impression that high
way construction and maintenance
do not constitute big business there
is lack Of observation-gladly pay
big sums for expert information. The
State is the manager Of this big
highway business. It is not paying
big prices for expert information, but
it is getting it. Because it is not
paying as much as do some man
ayers is no excuse for not profiting
from it..
No experts are infallible. Exper-
ience.iS- the test. of the value of their
advice. The advice which Maine has
had III this matter OF highways has
been. proved good by the test of ex-
perience 1t should be needed.
Data, has been collected which
affords indubitable proof that the
good highway, where the need re-
quires it, is not an extravaganza;
that If the public is to use motor cars
it cannot afford to have poor roads
to travel over; that these roads must
be treated according to the traffic
which they accommodate.
The attitude of the last Legislature
indicates that the public is arriving
at this conclusion. Observers of the
work done by that body became con-
WINGED the members were seriously
intent on getting at the facts; that
they. were aware people want good
roads. The tribute paid by Mr.. Sar-
gent is deserved He said: Il do not
suppose the public has any idea of
the patience with which these men
listened for ten weeks to appeals for
special road appropriations, totalling
more than $f,5o0,oOO when they had
only 100000 to distribute
As a result what appears to be
a fairly comprehensive plan has been
provided for. Although, as Mr.. Sar-
gent remarked with regard to one
feature Of it, the new State aid fund:
1.-THE only criticism / have to offer
is that it should have been provided
six years earlier" we have it at last,
accompanied by better understand
ing among people and a manifest
disposition to live up to it. OF course
it would have been better earlier to
have profited from the expert advice
We had, but 1t is better late than
never. and perhaps we have learned
lesson that will prove valuable.