Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-30
Mr.. Kinds Influence.
{ Portland Press. }


The story OF the Portland quarantine
appropriation is interesting. 1t is told
by the chairman Of the Portland
Board of Trade committee, Walter
Dec. Moore, and it relates how the
appropriation of $4s,sS0 was secured,
almost at the last hour of the session,
and how it was obtained largely
through the influence of Congressman
Asher c. Kinds and the respect and
good will entertained towards him in
both branches of Congress. The cir
cumstances calling for the appropria-
tion are well remembered. Not many
months ago steamship arrived at
this port with a large number of imi-
grants on board and case Of small
pox among them. It was necessary un-
der the law TO detain the passengers in
quarantine and fumigate the ship, but
owing to the inadequate facilities here
the vessel had to be sent to the Boston
station. This started a movement to
secure better accommodations at
Portland. Since this had become all
immigrant port of Importance and the
arrivals were increasing in numbers
from year to year, ii appeared adj
visable to prepare for such an emer-
gency as the outbreak of disease on
shiphoard. To send such cases to Bos-
ton caused delay, Inconvenience and
expense, although it suited Boston well
enough.
So through the initiative of the
Portland Board of Trade a bill was in
troduced or an item inserted in a bill
To provide for fit detention station
here. 1t received the attention of Mr..
Kinds and his colleagues at Washing
ton. who worked hard for it and in
the face of obstacles. Finally, when
the appropriation seemed likely 70
fail, MIR. Moore Went to Washington,
accompanied by Seth NJ. Moulton of
the engineering firm of Sawyer &
Meulton, and found means to see in
fluential members and press the mat
ter He first put the case to Congress-
man Hamilton of Michigan, who at
first said nothing could be done. Then
/ told him." says Mr.. Moore, that L
was neighbor of Asher Kinds, that
MI. Kinds was deeply interested in the
bill and wanted it passed. He imme-
diately said he would do anything for
Mr.. Kinds, would consult the floor
leader an see what could be done
would do anything for Asher Hind S
district, but don't see how We can do
this But Mr. Moore would not give
it up so. He set forth the urgency of
the need and asked Mr.. Hamilton,
Don't you believe Mr.. Kinds would
find a way for your" Mr.. Hamilton
thereupon went back for another con-
ference and returned with smiling
face to say, I'VE have arranged it. We
will do something for Mr. Kinds We
have never done before
But this only authorized the build
ing; it provided no funds. To get an
appropriation Mr.. Moore saw Sena-
tor Crane and Congressman Weeks OF
Massachusetts and obtained their
help. With Mr. Moulton he visited the
department of the interior and had
an interview with Solicitor O'Donneu
of the immigration bureau and with
Secretary Mayer and after some eff
fort won their approval and the prom
Use that with funds of the department
temporary provisions should be made
at Portland by renting suitable
house and hiring a oaretaker. In the
department as elsewhere the visitors
appear to have found the name OF Mr..
Kinds the key to the door of careful
attention and cordial interest.
Now the moral of the tale is this
Do the people of this district want tc
dispense with the services of u repre-
sentative who has proved himself sc
useful as Mr.. Kinds in this instance
Can they afford to lose his services
Although away from Washington and
laid up at home by illness for time
his name has been potent at wash
ington, has enlisted immediate friend
~ interest and effort and has been the
open sesame in House and department
But for the prestige of Mr.. Kinds
coupled, it is fair to say, with the tact
and persistence of Mr.. Moore, the APP
preparation would doubtless have fail
ed. This district cannot afford to lose
Il representative who is so influential
even when absent on sick leave.