Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-04
THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM

THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM
The advance report respecting the
conclusion Of the committees having
consideration of our highway and
bridge program should be gratifying,
and we think will be especially so
to those, who have given the matter
careful study and who have been
apprehensive Of possible impairment
Of the excellent system under which
Maine, for the money invested. has
a very creditable accomplishment.
There have been conflicting opin-
ions as to method to be worked out
and presumably compromises to be
made, but the committees appear to
have been impressed by the actual
needs and resolved to meet these.
They have not been hampered by the
special effort being made for econ
omy in State expenditures, as the
money for this work is to come out
Of those using the highways, some
what in proportion to the extent of
the use, from automobile registra-
ton and the like.
While the Legislature was urged
to provide for a larger bond issue
enabling the State to finish the plan
ned highway. system in a period of
six years, there was suggestion on
the part of the Governor and some
others to adopt pay-as-you-go
plan. A compromise is suggested
in this report. A step has been
taken toward that method OF A.
nancing, but recognition is had Of
the evident fact that in the con-
struction Of the remaining $50 miles
Of the State system there will be
considerable Of the expenditure for
what may be regarded permanent
improvements, changes OF grade,
building Of permanent bridges. that
might equitably be met from short
term bonds. especially If those bonds
be issued with proviso that they
shall be paid. not from funds raised
by general taxation, but from auto
mobile fees and the like.
A bond issue, moreover. is in some
degree encouragement Of a conth-
uous policy not to be affected by the
exigencies Of a legislative session
every two years. such as that two
years ago. for instance. And Maine
has now developed a bodybuilding
policy, We believe, which warrants
such support. It has been demon
strated that the owners of automo-
biles-the number of these shows no
sign Of lessening-save from gas and
up-keep an offset to what they are
taxed for highways. This being so.
the methods Of building being ap-
proved by experience, it would ap-
pear to be unwise to delay the con-
struction Of these roads.
Owing to the failure Of the last
Legislature to provide for proper
continuation Of the highway work
the need Of a higher gas tax became
almost imperative. The public pay
ing this should take that into consid-
Grafton. Besides. no more equitable
tax has been devised, II there may
be rebate to those who use gasoline
for purposes other than driving upon
the highways. Parenthetically, it
SENS pertinent to remark that any
tractor driven over the highways and
cutting 1t up with its rough wheels
is not entitled to rebate. The report
will favor the principle of a rebate,
presumably in the conviction that
this may be arranged without seri-
Gus cost or loss to the State. It
would be unfair to the honorable
people using gasoline for motor
boats and for farm tractors to as
sumo that they will enter upon any
scheme for "bootlegging" that fluid
or for otherwise swindling the State.
It IL thought the committees have
recognized the increasing need and
cost Of maintenance. This is becon-
ing more and more imperative as the
years 60 by. The up-keep of the
valuable highway system is an in
creasing demand. 1t should be met
under a pay-as-you-go policy.
These committees must have been
impressed by the accommodating re-
quirements. amounting to around q
million and half Of dollars. Towns
have been ready to expend their
share in State aid roads and the
State has been unable to meet them
as It should: bridges In some in
stances have been closed because I'M
safe. The public has been receiving
a valuable object lesson regarding
the significance of falling properly
to maintain a continuous highway
policy. This should prove profitable
in enabling people better to under.
stand the nature of the problem.
(which, after all is theirs to solve.
Should the wanderlust hammer IA