Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-04

That he believed the people of Au-
susta would mot act like a dog in the
manger" in the event that a concerted
movement was made to keep the main
arteries of travel in the State open
during the winter months, was the
word Thursday of Mayor Ernest L.
Mclean when queried as to the prob
able reaction of local citizens to this
proposed plan. He stated, however
that he felt 1t would not be advisable
to spend any considerable sum or
money for equipment especially for
this Job until it had been proved prac-
ticabIe and the many other towns
which would necessarily be concerned
in the project had signified their will
ingness to cooperate.
Mayor Mclean pointed out that 1t 10
essentially a matter OF cooperation,
that every town and city along the
proposed highways would be obliged to
do their share if the plan were to be
carried to a successful conclusion. He
also referred to the fact that the
forces of nature are to be reckoned
with in such an enterprise, as condi-
tions in the outlying districts are very
different from those which exist in the
more thickly populated places.
Undoubtedly there will be a repre-
sentative of the city present at the
meeting which is to be held at the
State House the first of next week. He,
however, will only be in position to
report back to some body, perhaps the
city government, possibly the Cham
Der OF Commerce. If it is reorganized
at the meeting today, as is not improb-
able.
Augustus chief executive responded
to, fa hn
Is q very strong probability that the
city will have small tractor and
pillow on trial this winter and several
tractors are being considered at this
time. In case the scheme for clearing
the trunk lines is carried through, the
city would probably use this tractor,
in conjunction with one of the larger
ones which is to be made available by
the State highway department.
City 10 Use Tractor PIow
Alderman Edward Ripley. chairman
of the traffic committee of the city
government, stated last evening that
one tractor has already been ordered
for trial and that it is planned, if
the machine is well adapted to the
work, to endeavor to keep some of the
trunk lines clear. Independently of
what other towns do. The ones spe-
officially mentioned were the Hallowell
road, the Winthrop road, the Togus
road and the Waterville road, although
Mr.. Ripley admitted that 1t is prob
lematical if all of these roads could
be kept open to traffic.
The tractor in question. the alder
man declared to be a light one. but
added that there is talk of using a
heavier machine, although nothing
definite has been done along this line
thus far. 5iirera
The winthrop end of the Augusta
Winthrop road has been kept open
by private subscription and enter
prise for the past two years in very
satisfactory manner. Difficulties
have been encountered of course, due
to the heavy snow fall of an average
Maine winter, sleet storms, and
drifting snow which fills the road
way as fast as it can be plowed out,
but taken by and large" the expert
ment has been quite successful.
The equipment which has been
used in that work was a gigantic
ten-ton caterpillar tread tractor,
with an immense, strongly built plow
constructed much like the heaters"
used In many country towns. Wheth-
er work of this nature can be done
by smaller tractor is one Of the
problems that can only be solved by
actual trial but to those familiar
with the conditions pertaining in the
country districts during the winter,
1t seems highly improbable that a
lighter machine can perform in a
satisfactory manner.
Some Opposition
A gentleman. living in the country,
declared Thursday that he felt the
plan to be one that would prove
most unsatisfactory. For a few per-
haps, with steam heated garages, the
ability to run their cars through the
winter might be a convenience, but
taking into consideration the added
trouble Of running an automobile in
cold weather and the uncertainty of
the weather he felt that the majority
OF drivers would store their machines
for the winter after one or two ex-
periments on the road.
He pointed out that even with
cleared road and good travelling
man could never be sure of reaching
his destination and returning. as the
wind might spring up while he was
enroute and fill the road with drift
ed snow so that he might even be
obliged to leave his car in some con-
venient barn, II not by the roadside.
The matter of clearing roads suf-
nclently wide to allow for the pass
Ing of vehicles presented an addi-
tional difficulty, he said. 1t will be