Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-02

In view Of the fact that citizens Of
Augusta are being asked to contri-
butte toward the expense of the State
wide snow removal campaign, Paul
D. Sargent, chief engineer Of the
State highway department and secre-
tary of the State snow removal COM
mittee, issued a statement Monday
regarding the aims of the committee.
He declared that 1t Is the thought
Of the committee that q demonstra-
ton should be made this winter of
just what can be done to keep wheel
traffic moving on the highways and
at the same time collect statistics
as to the cost of snow removal, with
a view of presenting the whole mat
ter to the Legislature in 1927 and
asking the Legislature to allot funds
from the gasoline tax collection dur
ing the winter months to meet the
cost Of the work.
Mr.. Sargent's statement Is as fol-
lows.
at the request Of Governor Brew
ster, the State of Maine Snow Re-
moval committee have been active
for the last month or six weeks IN
organizing a campaign for snow re-
moval from the State highways from
Kittery to Portland, Lewiston. VIM
throp, Augusta, Waterville and Ban
gor. This work has been carried on
wherever possible through the local
chamber of commerce. Lacking such
an organization IN Augusta, about a
dozen of the business men represent
ing the different activities Of the city
NIT with the snow removal commit
tee of the State at he State Highway
far 40 VThn
eral plans were thoroughly discussed
arrangements had been completed for
keeping the highway from Bangor to
Kittery open with the exception of
the section between Waterville and
Augusta.
THE gentlemen who attended the
meeting agreed to voluntarily under
take the work Of organizing the snow
removal forces in the vicinity Of Au-
gusta and solicit funds for carrying
on the work. 1t was planned to in
clude the clearing Of the road be-
tween Augusta and Gardiner as a
part of the undertaking of the Au-
gusta committee.
1.-THE Bangor Chamber Of Com
merce are sponsoring the work be-
tween Bangor and Pittsfield. The
Waterville Chamber of Commerce
take care of the work between Pitts
field and Waterville. with the posi-
bility Of taking on a portion of the
line between Waterville and Augusta,
leaving the balance of that road with
the road to Gardiner to be looked
after and financed by citizens of Au-
gusta.
Citizens of Winthrop are keeping
the road between Winthrop and Au-
gusta open, as they have done for the
past three or four winters. 1t is I'M
derstood the automotive dealers of
Lewiston and Auburn are behind the
movement in that section and will keep
the highway from Winthrop to Gray
open. From Gray to Portland and
Kittery arrangements are completed
and the work has been successfully
carried on so far during the season.
ut Is the thought of the committee
having this work in charge that dem
onstration should be made during the
present winter Of just what can be
done to keep wheel traffic moving on
the highways and at the same time COL
lect statistics as to the cost of snow
removal, with a view of presenting
the whole matter to the Legislature
which will meet in 1927 and asking
the Legislature to allot funds from
the gasoline tax collected during the
winter months to meet the cost of the
work. This appears to be the logical
method of securing funds, as the cost
Of opening the highways would then
be borne by those who enjoy their use.
ut is necessary, however. to first
make demonstration showing what
it is possible to do and ascertain exact
costs so that some definite plan and
definite figurer may be presented for
the consideration Of the Legislature.
About 40 miles Of highway outside
the city of Bangor were kept open
during the winter of 1924 ana 1925 by
subscriptions collected through the
chamber of commerce of Bangor. ,
similar mileage is being handled in
the same way the present winter.
Committees of the Waterville Chamber
of Commerce have already secured
funds which assure keeping the high