Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-10

NNW NF Ef'f W - ffi}N ~ Gf j We
considered It's n!alter for several
weeks and we took up all of the differ
ent phases OF it. The question was
raised in regard to the Bangor &
Aroostook, as their mileage book of
n thousand miles was issued at $3.50,
a mile at IA cents. We were very
careful in those matters, in passing this
bill. 1t was arranged that the 500
mile mileage book on that road would
cost $11.25. We made no change in the
rates of any road. We merely said
that they should issue Il 500 mile book
at the same rate that they were issu-
ing thousand mile book. That is all
you know, and I know that there are
thousands of people in this state to-
day that are buying and hiring these
books of sealpers and paying Ii
cents for the right q ride on them. We
understand that that class of people
ere opposing this matter. 1t is a matter
OF business for Them to oppose it, In
addition 10 that, we understand that
these railroad corporation lawyers of
course have worked since this bill pas
sed the committee day after day TO
try to bring about what was brought
about here last week. But do not
believe tho time has come when We
are going to say that we shall not give
10 the people of Maine this mileage
book of 500 miles.
l remember back in 1897 when we had
the big fight for the 1900 mile book,
they put up this same argument OF the
Thousands of dollars that it would cost
the corporation if this book was made
good for any one, good for bearer.
Those same people have acknowiedg-
ed time and time again since tfat it
was the best thing that ever happened
to the railroad that it had increased
their receipts to a very large amount.
There is no question but that this mat
ter will increase their receipts rather
than decrease them.
There is no argument that these
roads cannot afford to do this; as l
say, il they practice a little economy In
come other lines, and especially In
the line of increasing the capital stock
Of this road from five million to twen-
ty-fiye million, because Mr. Meilen
came in possession and the Boston x
Maine was bankrupt and the only place
he had to raise any money was to come
down here to the State of Maine to
crease the capital stock of this road
to take the money into Massachusetts
10 develop the Boston & Maine. If they
can afford to do that, they can afford
to do a little something for the COM
mon people OF Maine, and, gentlemen, l
nope that this bill will pass.
Mr. HERSEY of Aroostook: Mr..
President, a few days ago when this
Al 70 tha
question of it's several readings, and
the Governors veto of this bill, l made
a few suggestions at that time. that
the Governor was right. that the utilI-
ties commission. the bill having been
signed by the Governor. had full con-
troll over the matters of fares of rail-
roaGs, of passenger rates. and would
regulate the matter. and that. any bill
of this kind which would not go into
effect until next July was necessarily
repealed and made void by the utilities
commission law which took effect IN
the following September, as it repealed
all prior acts and things inconsistent
with that law.
Since that time Mr.. President an
| other condition has arisen i'll the Legis-
latuIe of Maine It is this: A new bill
has been introduced, the one before us;
the same subject matter, and practi-
cally the same bill. That bill was i'll
troduccd. the one before us: the same
subject matter. and practically the
same bill. That bill was introduced
after the utilities commission law has
been signed by the Governor. That bin
is on record this morning as to our po-
sitson on mileage books.
If this measure passes this Legisa-
ture, If will be passed with the full
knowledge of what we are doing. 1t is
rot a bill going along contemporane-
ously with the public utility bill, It is
a deliberate bill, passed by the Legis
latnre after the enactment of the util-
tiles commission.
While I have the greatest respect for
the judgment of the senator from Sag
adahoc in these matters, believe he
is honestly being deceived in his po-
stion in this matter. / can conceive
how at the time OF the hearing by his
committee they took the position that
they did. Then the public utilities
commission was not a law 1t might
never become law. The railroads were
anxious to take care of it themselves,
and they opposed the issue of 800 mile
mileage books. 1 say this. which the
senator from Sagadahoc believed at
that time. if you are to have mileage
books, there is no sense in having 1T
1000 miles. You ought to have 500 miles
as well, and 1 believe as the senator
did at that time. if you could bring
that about, you would be accomplish
ing so much. The railroads opposed it
st that time and place. because if you
had no utilities commission. the issu-