Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-09
That Public Utilities Bill.

EQlIOf henneDec J0urnal:
That Public Utilities bill! What is
it, anyway? oh, it is something that
commission, appointed by the Cover
nor or by the Legislature of 1912,
drafted and presented to the House for
their consideration. 1t was approved
by the Republicans. passed and would
have become a settled law had not the
Democrats found fault with and held it
up for the initiative and referendum.
l verify believe the Democrats would
find fault with an angel from Heaven,
if the Republicans We're responsible
for her advent. Her wings would be
too long or too short or too homely to
be tolerated by fastidious Demo-
cratic crowd-and probably, a Demo-
cratic angel wouldn't exactly suit the
Republicans.
l asked a Socialist friend what he
thought about it and he said he
didn't know much about it, but hoped
to know more about it before Septem-
Der, as he desired to vote intelligently
upon so important a measure and that
is what we all wish-to know more
about it. He thought perhaps there
might be some trouble about its
teeth; it either bit too hard or it didn't
bite hard enough, he didn't know
which.
l guess the Hon. w. r. Pattangall
had something TO do with the holding
of it up: that seems to be the opinion
of a nice Democratic friend of mine
and l guess he is just about right, for
it is characteristic of w. r. to put
that keen scented nose of his to every
Republican measure to see if it has
the proper odor. He seemed to think
it wasn't wise to have all lawyers in
the framing of the measure; that there
ought to have been one good business
man on the commission. Funny isn't
it, but then he is lawyer himself and
ought to know what suits the people
best. Perhaps he is right; at any rate
l am myself inclined TO take the
ground that 1t is not wise to rush
measure of so great importance
through too hastily.
l do not believe in giving away our
privileges and franchises. 1t is we'll,
of course, to encourage foreign capital
to a limited extent in the develop
ment of the vast resources of Maine;
that is absolutely necessary for there
isn't money enough in Maine-even If
it was all invested here as more of 1t
should he--to properly develop and
conserve all our well-known and
much talked of resources. Here is
proposition from Socialist friend-it
is for the State of Maine to issue
bonds to the amount of four or five
million dollars buy up all our unused
water power build dams and then
lease these water powers and privi-
leges to good and responsible parties
at figures to sufficiently cover the
cost and no more.
How does that strike you? It's
good Socialistic idea isn't it? Can you
endorse it? 1 am afraid not. For
me, cannot, for I do not think 1t
would be wise for the State to run in
debt on such a risky proposition.
Well now, what? Let me name some
of the Public Utilities of Maine: the
steam railroads, the trolley lines, the
telephone and telegraph lines and the
water and electric power companies.
Who owns and controls these utlli-
ties? What power or supervision has
the State beyond the simple granting
of charter to the corporations and
companies who own and control them?
They are supposed to run partly for
the benefit of the people and partly
for their own benefit. There is no
question in my mind but what they
are running these things as faithfully,
wisely and economically as Is con-
sistent with a reasonable service to the
public and fair profit to themselves.
l shall deal only with the Maine Cen
trail. 1t is splendid system, finely
equipped and every official from
president to brakeman doing his best
to serve the public, by kindness,
courtesy and strict attention to bust
ness. / have one little grievance only,
which l will mention presently and for
which I do not think they are to blame.