Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-10-27

the bridge construction along for the
next two TO four years. The State
Highway Commission has carried on
the construction of State highways
at the rate of about 100 miles "a year
when funds were available, but this
has been decreased to 80 or 40 miles
at the end of certain periods Of
financing when there were no funds.
Approximately 45o miles remain to
be built to complete the total Of
100 miles of the State highway sys-
tenn as now mapped out.
Reconstruction Work
Chief Engineer Paul d. Sargent
of the State Highway Commission
points out that during the past two
years the Commission has carried on
the first reconstruction which has
consisted of rebuilding in a more
permanent form sections of State
highway built dozen or more wears
ago.
Substantially all of 1t has been
done in York county where the need
has been greatest and much favor
able comment has resulted from the
work of the Commission along this
line" Mr.. Sargent asserts. The
amount of the work is limited bv
the funds available, viz. the income
from one cent of the gasoline tax.
While no suggestion is made that
this ought to be Increased the fact
remains that there are some 200
miles of State highway which must
be resurfaced with a hard pavement
just as fast as funds can be secured
Considerable savings will result
when these pavements are laid, both
in the decrease in gasoline consume
ton and the reduced maintenance
costs of the road.
"The average cost of surface treat
ing gravel highways is $1,000 per mile
per year. With a good macadam
concrete pavement the cost will be
about $3.50 per mile per year. show
| ing clear saving of at least $3.50
per mile per year. If means could
be found for immediately paving
this 500 miles of State highway APP
proXimately a quarter of a million
dollars which now goes into MAIN
tenance, would be released for the
| payment of interest on bonds, for
the retirement of bonds. or for other
current expenditures by way. of re-
surfacing and strengthening other
sections of State highway"
Repeal of Primary Law
The petitions for the repeal of the
direct primary law which have been
| circulated in cities and towns of the
( State for several weeks, will be pre-
scented before the S3rd LEGISLATURE.
Article 81 of the Constitution. an
amendment adopted several years
ago, provides that the legislature
must pass in original form any IN
itiated measure or else refer it to the
voters of the state.
This petition calls for uncondition-
al repeal of all the laws and amend
ments to laws which pertain to di-
rect nominations for state, county
and district nominees and declares
that hereafter nominations shall be
made in caucuses and conventions, in
the same manner as such nominal
tons were made prior to the passage
of Chapter 1919 of the laws of 1911
and Chapter 221 of the laws of 1918.
All statutes regulating caucuSes
and conventions in effect when the
primary law was enacted, are re-
enacted.
Gov. Brewster is requested to issue
a proclamation to refer the act to
the people not less than four months
and not more than six months after
the proclamation in a special cleo
ton.
This drive for repeal by initiative
is the second that has been insti-
tuted, the first being thwarted a year
and a half ago when many names
were discarded owing to irregulari-
ties. More than sufficient number
was submitted but the canvass SEEM
ed to indicate less than the required
number that were legally subscribed
This time, so the sponsors of the
movement declare, there will be
enough valid signatures and thous-
ands to spare.
Regarding Fish and Game
So far as can be ascertained at
the present time very few changes
in the general fish and game laws
have been suggested as yet. 1t ap-
pears that the present deer law is
working very satisfactorily. No
change will probably be made in the
moose law as the present close time
does not expire until July Z. 1929.
More or less discussion is on with
reference to the protection on fur
bearing animals which in many sec
lions are reported TO be much less
in number than formerly. A short
recommended. This would probably
be a general law rather than a spec
ial law affecting local territory.
Matters I'm Agriculture
The question of a uniform apple
packing law for New England is
likely to be brought before the
Solons. A New England committee
has drafted such bill and 1t has
been adopted by Massachusetts. One
or two other of the states have in
dicated their intention of adopting
it. If the matter comes before the
Maine Legislature it will demand
much consideration and investigation
by the committee on agriculture, 1t
is believed.
Suggestion has been made that
there should be a change in the
State law regarding the appointment
of local sealers of weights and
measures and that their duties
should be performed by a group of
State inspectors. Whether or not
this matter will be introduced Is now
uncertain.
Another matter relating to the
work of sealers was taken up at the
annual convention of the Maine
Asso citation of Sealers of Weights
and Measures held three weeks ago
at the State House. The convention
went on record as advocating the
adoption of legislation in behalf of
the sale and use within the State of
bottles, jars and other containers
used for the sale of milk and cream,
of certain standard size only, to wit:
One quart, one pint and one gill,
liquid measure. Such legislation is
suggested to do away with the con-
fusion that might arise from the
sale of milk and cream in containers
with measurement stamped in ounces
it being pointed out that the 10
ounce bottle has already made its
appearance at the markets.
Licensing of Rooming Houses