Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-29

MOUNT CfaSe.
1t was ordered that the secretary be
directed to cause to be printed 500
copies of bill relating to investigation
of fire.
Senator Savage presented an act
amending laws relating to intoxi-
cant liquor providing that money re-
ceived from sale of ''emoties'' shall be
turned into county treasury instead of
town and cities as now.
The hope of the insurance department
for a State fire marshal is not to be real
lied at this session, as neither the de-
partment, the leading law makers nor
the Governor felt that an important new
office ought to be created at this time,
but a compromise has been made in the
bill to provide for an investigation of the
causes of fires, which Senator Parsons of
Piscataquis. has presented. This bill Is
not, to be sure, the ideal scheme of the
State insurance department, but it was
drawn up in that office and Commits
sioner Carr strongly indorses it and will
give it all the support in his power.
The bill changes the present law,
which leaves the investigation of fires
entirely to the discretion of the NUM-
cipal authorities, and provides that when
property is destroyed or damaged by
fire it shall be the duty OF municipal ofti
GERS in cities and towns to Immediately
notify the insurance commissioners OF
the same, and to Investigate or cause to
be investigated the cause, circumstances
and origin of the fire, and especially to
examine whether it was the result OF
carelessness or of design. The investiga-
| ton shall be commenced within three
| days after the occurrence of the fire, not
| including the Lords day, and the insur-
| ance commissioner shall have the right
to supervise and direct such investigation
whenever he deems it expedient or neces-
sary"
| Under the further provisions of the
| proposed law the insurance commits
sioner shall take complete charge Of the
| Investigations, with full power of trial
justice, to bring to justice the guilty par
ties. He shall keep a full record Of the
facts connected with the investigations
| always open to public inspection, and tic
be made a part of his annual report. He
and his deputy shall receive for the SER
vices required by the act, s. per diem
for time actually expended and may in
cur such expenses as may be necessary
to carry out the provisions of this law.
Commissioner Carr says the proposed
law cannot fail to be of great benefit to
the people of the State. If fire is never
investigated by the State under its pro-
visions. its simple moral effect will save
the State many thousands of dollars an
nually. At present the local authoritie&
seldom investigate thoroughly the origin
of suspicious fires, and tirebugs remain at
large and keep up their reign of terror.
If they knew that the State authorities
were on their trail they would be fewer
and less bold. Half of Names fires are
returned as of incendiary or unknown
origin. II this enormous annual loss can
be stopped or decreased. the people wiz
save just SO much, and the insurance
rates will also be made lower. Serious
interests are at stake and the bill is q
very important one. Commissioner Carr
says he believes that, sooner or later,
Maine, like Massachusetts. will have a
regular fire marshal, but until that can
be brought about he believes the pro
posed law will be of much benefit, direct
and indirect TO the State.
W. H. Gay of Portland, was before the
committee on inland fisheries and game,
in the afternoon, in the interest of the
resolve approprating $1,000 for the pur-
chase of his photographs of Maine's
scenic attractions. He presented letters
from railroads, boards of trade and
chambers of commerce in the larger
cities of the United States, in which
| iubl
pictures as Il means Of permanently ad
ertising the State in general and the
scenes photographed in particular. He
made strong arguments Tor this form OF
advertising. The variety Of scenes, suc
as big game, strings of mammoth trout
rugged sea coast and magnificent watei
power undeveloped, at once excites the
interest of the observer He paid 8
glowing tribute to Names summer re-
, sorts. and advised all to pull together tC
the end that the State may be brought
, to the attention of the world What
, Maine is, today, she owes to the adver-
Using she has received. Other states
, are awakening to the Importance of pre-
senting their claims to a portion of tn,
summer tourists money, and Maine
must make a greater effort than ever il
, this direction or be left behind. The re-
lport of the committee on the matter viii
! be delayed for executive session.
The judiciary had several hearings or
the programme for Thursday afternoon
Nobody appeared on the act to make
t valid the doings of the First Baptist So
| ciety of New Gloucester, and it was TIA
bled. The hearing on the act to incorpo
rate the Union Gas and Electric Co. O.
+ Waterville, was next and was the feat
2 ure of the afternoon. The proposed in
corporators are members of firms an(
e establishments doing business on the
Mesa lonskee stream, and they want t.
:. establish a new system of electric trans
l portation and lighting for Watervlle ant
the surrounding towns. E. f. Webb O.
! Waterville, appeared for the proposed
! company, explaining the needs of thu
city and claiming that the presen
t Waterville & Fairfield Electric Railway
and Light Co. gives poor service and il
unable, from it's conditions. to give {
| sufficient service to the section.
> H. M. Heath of Augusta, appeared ant
| spoke at length against Incorporating thu