Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-30
Referendum to Be Voted on at the
Next General Election, Sept. IA,
l9l4-=GOv. Haines Gives Out a
Strong and Striking Interview.
Believes That Deceit Has Figured Largely in De.
teati0g Demand Of People of Maine.

| The suspension of the public utilities
law pending the vote of the people ON
len referendum at the next general
detection in Scptembr, 1914, is a mat
ter Of more than ordinary Importance
land not TO be measured by a cursory
glance or the kitchen law of free orai
tory. We would ask our readers To
read carefully the words of Governor
Haines in the following interview In
it he has brought out sharply the de
nand for such law, the law itself
| and its purpose, and the work of
those who frantieally endcavored to
defeat il. Its opponents failed in the
| Legislature ana resorted ia the next
move that of delay. The purpose Of
this delay may best be judged by the
developments of time. but present DAY
opinion is we'll voiced by the Cover
| nor, who believes that deceit has fig
ured largely.
| Governor lIaines WIS seen at the
| Executive Chamber at the State
house, Tuesday, and interviewed by
| Journal reporter in regard to sub
hitting the so-eallcd Public Utilities
Act to the vote of the people. III
substance he said to the reporter as
follows:
This measure passed by the last
Legislature is one of the greatest im-
! Portanee tn the people. The Gonsu-
tuition provides that when not less
| than 10000 people have petitioned that
| t be referred to the popular vote that
| he same shall be voted upon at tho
| next general election not less than 60
| DAYS after said proclamation, or in
| case of no general election within six
months thereafter the Governor may,
land if so requested in said written
petition therefore shall. order said
measure submitted to the people at
special election not less than fout
nor more than six months after his
proclamation thereof.
Now none of the petitions have any
request that refers To the time il
which it shall be submitted to be yot-
| ed on, and the petitions were not tileo
within 80 days before a general elcc
| ton; hence, | think it is at my dis
erection, and possibly when no request
| is made my duty, to submit ii to tn
next general election whenever j
comes. At least, l think this is the
best method to pursue. The petitions
Which have been filed show that they
lwere obtained by agents whose duty il
was to canvass the towns and cities
land obtain the names on the petitions
land many of the names look as
Though they were written by tho
same person. 1t is possible that th
different persons whose signatures APP
pear asked the solicitor or agent oh.
Itaining the names to write theil
names for them and perhaps such
might be considered as their sigma.
lures. Prima facie, the petitions fol
low the language of the Constitution.
land it becomes my duty to declare
this act suspended.
This act should be thoroughly I'm
iderstood by all the people. 1t is not
lparty question or a question of poll
tics. 1t is great economic and in
dustrial question for our people. The
decision of the people will determine
whether we should go in Maine per
hitting the issuing of large amounts
of watered stock by companies upoi
which the people have got To pay divi
dends in the future, or whether tn
public service companies shall l.
Obliged to issue only such stocks am
bonds as fairly value the propert!
they represent. It also will determine
whether the people shall have an easy
land competent court before Whicl
they can appear, and at practically ne
IeXponse to ascertain whether they arr
Ipaying a fair price for water. gas
electricity and transportation over oul
railroads 1t will also determine
whether we shall have to make in the
future as we have in the past lare'
contributions by way of commissions
and bonus stock given to the great
bonding houses in the cities to inv"
tigate and certify to investors tn
honesty and value of the securities is
sued by our public service companies
or whether it shall be done by our
own State commission created by this
llaw.
am satisfied that many who hav
signed these petitions have been
grossly deceived by misrcprescnta :
tons, upon the theory that the law
is intended to foster monopoly and ia
he at great expense; whereas IN tact
the law, as anyone can see If they
will read it and not read what some
newspapers say about it or what IN
soliciting agents tell them about Y
is to prevent monopoly and at rea
sonable expense and to give us q
square deal in the future with our
public service companies. | regard u
as the greatest question we have had
before the Legislature or before tts
: people during the time | have beer