Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-17
Fine Example of Business Despatch Under
Direction of Pres. Milliken and Speaker
Peters==Woman' Suffrage Is Assigned
for Wednesday====Other Hearings.
Corporation Sole on Thursday Public Utilities In
Hands Of Subcommittee Developments.

Rationale progress with all-cnvelop-
ing efTicieficy has thus lar character
lied the 18th Maine Legislature. Work
ing to the limit of business dispatch
under the sklful guidance of President
Milliken of the Senate and Speaker
Peters of the House. the members VIII
assemble, at 4.30 o'clock, this after
noon the eighth week of the session.
Oratory in plentiful quantities is pre-
dicted. With the important measures
up for consideration. but the leaders
feel that enough time has been gain
ed i'll the preceding weeks to let down
the gates a bit without seriously en-
dargering the chances Of adjourn
rsent in the third quarter of March.
Many prefessed to gather evidence of
disastrous delay in the fight over the
United states senatorship, the quick
humiliation of the Democratic and Pro-
gressive leaders eifectually auashed
these fears and the task of fulfilling
the promises of the Bangor platform
has been nobly assailed.
There are. undoubtedly, big men in
the Democratic party but they have
had spindling opportunity to EXHIBIT
their wares on the Legislative count
er with the masses Of all-wool- and -3a-
inch goods displayed by men like Her
sey. Stearns. Emery, button, two or
three Smiths, Sanborn, Austin, Mars
ton and many other Republicans di-
recting progress from the floors of the
two branches or in their committees.
The only show" yet presented by the
Democrats was the postmaster contro-
Versy, and that. in the hands OF Messrs
Newbert and Scates soon descended t0
a spectacle There's little side show
in progress at the present time-the
coal investigation. directed by Senator
Frank a. Mercy of Lewiston--but its
sponsor is about ready to admit that
his stock will soon be turned over to
Portland receiver.
Meanwhile the Republicans are push
ing 4 public utilities bill, a woman s
suffrage amendment, a workmen s
compensation and an employers la
bility act a teachers. pension bill and
several other important measures to-
ward conclusive action.
sub COMMITTEES has. after all, be-
comesaesAnaetedz tits tIae public util-
tiles 1l1opever. the kind
of a sd IkiEh awolxe GER
o aa,a ra TN s rms & : very
few king MS hing about it--but il is
very I'D IRA ftirk the perfect pubs
lie utill slvistnlfs'' 80 often men
toned ~ nlaxie up Of six men,
three from The jndictlry and three
from the Legal affairs committees,
which, Jointly. have been considering
tie two measures Introduced. Senator
Aaron iCole of York Representative
Alton e.. Wheeler of South Paris and
Representatives francis c. Peaks of
DoJer have been named from the legal
affairs, and Senator Ira c. Hersey of
Arocstook, Representative Bertram l..
Smith of Patten and Representative
Lauren Sanborn of South Portland.
Their best efforts will be submitted
to the two committees of 20 lawyers
and the matter discussed to finish
Final approval here will mean its in
PRODUCTION in the Legislature proper for
the verdict.
Possibility of vigorous fights over
this legislation Is felt in many quar-
tiers, even upon the adapted Wisconsin
bill which is generally commended.
than at any other time during the ses-
sion that no public utilities law will
be forthcoming. Interest--and conse-
quent deIfand--has steadily increased
in the past two weeks, and it is more
than probable that the bill will go
through and he approved by the Gov
ernor.
Commissioners will then be appoint
ed. and they must be able men. The
effectiveness of the bill will depend up
on this factor.
Attorneys for the corporations unan-
imously declare support of good
bill" They claim, however, that a few
technical changes should be made, and
cannot conceal their anxiety over the
worI Of the sub committee. They
have received assurances, so one o.
them told Journal reporter, that they
will be heard in due time and their
suggestions given generous considera
ton Questioned as to specific correc-
tons they adopt generalities, of which
the following is a good example:
I'VE shall not favor q mass of I'M
necessary verbiage but shall speak
rather for concise terms. OF course, we
want a law strong and sufficient UNI
to itself, with good solid teeth for nip
ping the deliberate offender, and the
commissioners must be Of the ablest
with extremely good judgment"
One of the members of the sub-com-
mittee says that he feels certain the
right bill is going to be secured and
that it will meet with no opposition
when introduced. Senator Robert NJ,
La Toilette of Wisconsin, father of the
public utilities law Of that STATIC has
been invited to address the Maine Leg
islature on that subject within a few
days. He is understood TO have new
opinions as to the ideal law and, nat
urally. the committeeman are anxious
to- gain any advantage from such in
formation.