The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-01-26
A BUSY WEEK At
LEGISLATURE
Legislators of Somerset
Showing Activity
Senator DOnigan, Colby and ThOmp.
son Introduce Bills.

son IntTOuuce bllISs
The most important feature of new
legislation introduced in either house
Monday afternoon was the bill intro
duced by Senator Foss of Androscog-
gin authorizing the merger of the
Somerset Railroad Co, Washington
County Railroad CO.. and the Sebasti-
cook and Moosehead railroad with the
Maine Central railroad in accordance
with the plan which the Maine Cen
tral management has been consider
ing for some time. AS is we'll known
the Maine Central railroad owns all
all the stock of the Washington coun-
ty railroad; all but few shares OF
the existing stock in the Somerset and
The stock and securities of the Sebas-
ticook and Moosehead, but at the
present time the properties are oper-
ated as three distinct and independent
corporations.
Senator Donigan of Somerset, makes
the following statement regarding his
bridge bill
The new general bridge bill is
changed in only a few respects from
the one of two years ago. The new
draft will be termed state bridge
bill, but could easily be called a coun-
ty bill, as by it the county commits
sioners would have full charge ot
building and maintaining bridges, and
are reimbursed one-third by the state
and one third by the town or towns In
which the bridge is located, but all
will be under the general supervision
OF the highway commissioner. In
case of sudden defect the town officers
will have the right to repair damage
DONIGAN BALLOT BILL.
The second bill for new form OF
the Australian ballot to be presented
ii the present session of the Legisla-
ture was introduced Monday after.
noon in the Senate by Senator Doni-
gan of Somerset. The previous bill
which was introduced in the House
last week by Representative Hersey OF
Houlton provided for the adoption OF
system similar to that now in use
in Massachusetts while the bill intro
duced Monday by Senator Donigan
provided for a ballot practically iden-
teal with the official ballot of the
state of Connecticut.
The names of candidates nominated
by any party are to be grouped to-
gether upon the ballot by their party
designations as in theMpresent Maine
ballot, but the use of Gckers is done
away with.
DONIGAN BRIDGE BILL.
Senator Donigan of Somerset Tues
day morning for the fourth time pre-
sented a general bridge bill. The new
bill differs in some respects from that
presented by him two years ago but
is along the same general lines and
provides for the ownership and main
tenance of all bridges over 40 feet in
length by the State and the construc-
ton of such bridges by the State
county and towns. Section l provides
that the municipal officers of the sew
eral towns in the counties In the
State shall make an inspection and
list of all the highway bridges that
are 40 feet or more in length and con
structed prior to January /, 1912.
AN AUTOMOBILE BILL.
Another piece of important legisla-
ton introduced Tuesday by Senator
Donigan was an act providing a new
system of registration for automobiles
according to horse power and making
fund of moneys received for regis
tration and licensing fees and for vio-
lations of the law for the repair OF
State roads. The act defines motor
vehicles. provides for the registration
of same and licensing of drivers, fixes
rules for use and speed, amount OF
license and registration fees and pro-
vides penalties for violation of the
law.