Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-01-19
GRANGE LEGISLATURE PROGRAM
Continued from Page One)
Representative Mitchell of Kittery said

Representative Mitchell of Kittery said
that although he was not 4 Patron he
was entirely in favor of the measure
Representative Corydon Powers OF Car
ibou said that Houlton was the only town
in Aroostook county that received more
money under this law than it received
under the law of prior to two years ago
He was glad to see that Representative
Hersey was in favor of the proposed
amendment as a matter of justice.
The discussion on TINS matter was prac-
tically completed when Representative l..
W. Murphy of Portland arose to express
his opposition to any amendment 10 the
present act. He was in favor Of the Pat
tangall act because ii got at the wild
lands and taxed all the property Of the
State for the public schools. Previous to
this the State had had a measure that
hit Portland 10 the tune of $3o4,oa and
now another measure is being brought
forward to hit Portland again. An inter
esting dialogue followed between Repre-
sentative Murphy and Senator Irving in
regard to the amount which Portland
paid for common schools. Representative
Murphy informed the Aroostook senator
that Portland was paying nearly nine
mills for it's schools. High and all
Senator Donigan of Somerset said that
he knew where towns received more
money than they could use for school
purposes as a result of the provisions of
this act and he would favor some amend
ment so that a portion Of the money thus
raised might be used for the purpose of
maintaining bridges.
Senator Hamilton Of York said he
didn't believe the law was constitution
al He believed the money should be
distributed as it had been in the past
and as we have legal right to do. w.
| G. Hunton of Readfeld chairman Of the
| Grange committee on good roads, briefly
| explained the proposition advanced by
the Grange for the taxing OF automobiles
for the maintenance of State roads lie
| peneNed that the tax thus raised should
be expended for the repair and mainten-
| ance of all the constructed State roads.
| Representative Plummer of Lisbon Fails
| asked Mr. Hunton how he would tax the
| automobiles and Mr.. Hunton rcplicd that
| he would impose a tax according to horse
| power, S. for machine under - horse
power. $40 for machine between % and
40 horsepower and SIS for machine over
| 40 horsepower. This explanation did not
suit Representative Plummer, who sug-
| gested that the tax should be according
| to the wear and tear made on the roads
| and the dust kicked up by the different
variety of automobiles, and suggested
| that corps of deputies be stationed al
every cross road to take account of the
| exact damage done by each automobile
and to measure by the speedomcters and
the taXin.eterS the speed at which tn,
automobiles were run and the number Of
miles which they had Travelled. lie said
that of course the Grange committee de-
| sired to make this tax just and this was
the only way it could he collected in a
Just and equitable manner
While this spirited caucus was in pro-
gress In the highway department the
committee on State lands and state roads
was liste ming 10 detailed eXplanatiu
by the ietring state highway commits
sioner. Paul p. Sargent. Of the work the