Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-23
A Crying Evil Of Maine.
Editor of Kennebec Journal:

A Crying Evil Of Maine.
Editor of Kennebec Journal:
It is very evident that the greatest
pressure ever brought to bear on any
Legislature for increased appropria-
lions and increase in salaries will ne
pressed upon the legislative session "
1915. State institutions everywhere
are sending out an appeal for more
money to be appropriated, State and
county officers are crying loudly for
increase in salaries and a wave OF
unnecessary extravaganza seems t.
be sweeping through the State.
AS citizens and taxpayers it is our
bounden duty to study the situation
from different standpoints and firmly
decide the right way, the fair way
and, above all, the just way to act.
The University at 'Orono has put in
call for $260,000 annually for the
next two years. The careful esti-
mated income from other sources
would, with the amount called for,
make an expenditure Of over $1,000
for each day in the two years. 1t
certainly seems hard for SO many
farms throughout the State, depend
ing wholly upon what income can be
made without any outside help to he
compelled to take a part Of that in-
tribute to the salaries and extrava-
CANT expenses Of one great institu-
ton. Only a few years ago it was
thought that $4,000 annually was
sufficient for the State to contribute
to the expenditures Of the University,
but there has been a constant call for
more and more and still more until it
has reached the enormous sum Of
$260,000. A costly elephant for the
State to feed.
The report comes to us that the
committee on salary revision RECON-
mends an increase in the Governors
salary from $4,000 to $4,000, Governor S
secretary from $1,000 to $500, secre-
tary Of the Senate from $500 to $500,
clerk Of the House from $500 to $1,000
and like increases all along the line of
State officers.
County officers are calling loudly in
the same direction Notwithstanding
the fact that tremendous scrambling
was made by them at the last prim-
aries to get on the official ballot and
be elected. Not a hint given at that
time that the salary which went with
the office wasn't satisfactory. We
wonder if it cost so much to secure
the election that they all feel as
though the taxpayers should come to
their rescue and pay the. bills.
The prominent excuse the salaried
officers have in calling for more pay
is that it is costing more for the
privilege of living and the high cost
demands the increase. Do these Of
fcers stop to think that men out on
the farms who contribute to the ex-
pense are confronted with the same
conditions? Do they recognize the
fact that in our cities and villag IS
are large numbers Of faithful citi
zens, with their families about them
to feed and clothe and struggling hard
to pay for their homes, who do not
Know sometimes which way to turn
for funds with which to pay neces.
sary bills? Are they getting more
pay? Are they even expecting it:
Are not conditions that surround
them becoming more and more diff
cult to overcome?
DO those who are receiving CON-
pensation for the duties devolvine
upon them ever compare their nav
WIN that large class Of laborers Wht
are doing work just as essential t.
De done. and. in many cases, more es.
sentlal for the public good, and mari,
the difference? Thousands upon
thousands OF men are at work TODAY
IN our mills, as clerks in stores, On
the railroads, in all marts Of industry
whose annual compensation is frou1
5000 to $500 and the cost of living is
ever rising up before them lust as
much as 1t rises before other classes
haven't they the right to considera
tlon IN this case? Shouldn't they
come in for square DEAF Just IS
much as anyone else?
LOOK at the condition of many OF
cur cities and towns today. Ever
our home town of Skowhegan wa,
beyond 100000 debt, city of Water.
vile over 100000. Augusta nearl,
100000. Other cities in the same
proportion. Towns around us Sc
pressed for funds that the taxes arr
up from 25 to 35 mills on the dollar
And there are those who are anxious
10 pile on little more, to crowd .
little harder. Recently there was a
great hue and cry about a Boon
Maine" movement. The correct wa,
10 boom Maine is to stop unnecessar,
extravagance and pay debts. Ga,
the cities and towns on a firm finan.
clal standing. give all classes an ever
chance and the boom will come. Bust.
ness men will run shy Of city O,
town burdened with big debt un
less they can manage to get exemptet
from paying their share Of the taxe:
as decidedly too many are doing.
For years there has been a grea
call for equality of taxation which
should continue until 1t is fully a.
complished. claim that there should
also go out a still greater call TO,
equality in hours Of labor, in com.
pensation for work performed and 4
the chances all should have to enio,
the fruits Of their labor, For on
class Of our citizens to demand NOR