Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-10

CONTINUED from rage Ohe.I
am capable, that there has not been
added to the liabilities of Maine this
wear through the operation OF STATE
institutions, one penny of LIABILITY;
that the strictest economy is being ex-l
ercised. so far as I can learn, in every
public department. that the construc-
t,on Of the state capitol, on which up
wards of 1925, 900 has already been PAID
by the State, is proceeding in such
Way as to command the warmest ap-
prevail even of the Democratic party,
that the increased expenditures OF lSos
over 1907 were for approved uses, ana
that we shall close the year with rec
ord of work done with an increase OF
assets to the State, and with the n
nances in as substantial condition
as we found them.
Now my friends let us turn aside
4! from these considerations to a orlel
discussion Of another issue which mas
been recently injected into this cam
paign from certain comments made on
the subject of conservation OF state
resources. A certain Democatic news
paper has said, for instance, that the
entire record of the present admins
tration is comprised within the estab-
lishment of water storage commits
sion, which held two meetings and
then turned the whole business over
to the State photographic Survey. l
am pleased to discuss this subject for
it enables me to say that the record
of the present administration and of
the last Legislature ID far more COM
prehensjve than this, and that the du-
ties which are being so well and con-
sistently performed by the water
storage commission are inclusive of
a large policy. not only of water stor-
age but of reforestation under the
wisdom trust of future administra-
tons, to the development of policy
Of nublic ownership Of water storage
facilities which shall bring a revenue
to the people of Maine not vet dreamed
Of in their fondest hopes. I am
pleased to discuss this matter. because
the policy of conservation is distinc-
tive,v that or the Republican party
in Maine and because I believe that
this @reat issue will ultimately he the
rallving crv in some hard ronght and
farfung national conflict Of battles.
When Won 20 to vo,,r .bcres 7 wish i'or
would all read chanter 30 hnts If tie
74th Legislature. have not the time to
detail all its provisions. hut suffice to cav
NOT only DO thew create and define thu
duties IF this water storage coromiSSion
as to the ratalOouin~ and descrbin". 60
to speak Of every water mower In Mptno
hut this commission IS also REQUIRED to-
ascertain what townships. or parts Of
townships or land can he purchased h,.
the state and the cost thereof. with all
the necessary data for correct under
standing Of their value and Of forest re-
serves. for conserving the water powers
If the State.
In regard to the attitude of the State
during the past eighteen months In the
giving Of franchises. 7 think it's record Is
1T was the early policy of the State ad-
ministration to have the State repre-
sented at all hearings on. petitions for
franchises. I regret to saw that in the
the case.
In the act incorporating a great reser-
voir company in northwestern Maine We
reserved to the State the right to take
ehises held or by this ha co rs
alton whenever the State should deter
mine by proper legislation to acquire.
maintain and operate system of water
question. In addition TO this provision,
which doubtless Is the right Of the State
under any condition, was added the pro-
vision that whenever the State should
take over such property. rights and
franchises the State should pay nothing
for the franchise and should pay only for
the improvements and development
Of the act. In other words. the State
registered Its determination to give away
no more franchises which subsequently
could be resold at enormous prices.
Maine stands third among the states of
the Union in developed water power and
her estimated possible development with
out additional storage. Is $4,000 horse
power. and with storage. "a portion Of
which Is undoubtedly feasible as bust
| ness proposition. it is million and a
half horsepower. A member of the wa
ter storage commission has pointed out
that the annual earnings Of $4,000 horse
power. assuming that to be the aggregat,a,
of commercial power available under all
conditions. would be $4,000 at SO a
horsepower. which is but a little more
| than one-third the average price per
horse power at market prices today.
| Under any conditions the annual income
might easily bring in revenue to the State
of more than enough to pay all its ex..
penses. I feel that whatever the federal
laws may be. whatever constitutional
rights may be. it is we'll. whoever may
he elected to the high Office of Governor.
that he be man with heart and soul
so concerned that this enormous poten-
tial value be controlled as far as posi-
BILE for the benefit of the State whose
natural resource 1t Is and whose people
have just and right equity therein.
1 am about to close but before say the
last word I want to say to you that so
far as l am concerned challenge any
man to show where I have knowingly
been the Governor of party. clique or
a division of party to the exclusion of
others. I pretend to no exceptional vir-
tues. the pledges that my opponents have
made are those have already made and
believe have kept. For years Repuh'i-