Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-01

thatn liquor could - bou3hG and to dis
prove the statement he had given man
money with which to purchase. the man
returning in just nine minutes with the
LIQUOR. 1t must have been pretty open.
the GoEernor said. Thereupon Mr.. Ber-
ry declared that so long as Maine was
surrouHded by license states it would be
impossible to have perfect enforcement
and it was not expected. but that there
is nosnecessity for the open selling now
goings6n in certain counties.
Down to Business
At this point the discussion settled
down to rock bottom and the Governor
asked Mr.. Berry why he did not make
complaints and himself cause improve
ment in conditions. Mr.. Berry replied
that he had tried to and without success,
having found in the past that both off,
GERS and courts are often 10th to act He
said that he had tried the statute which
provides $50 fine for refusal to act upon
the signed complaint of two citizens
without success. The Governor then ask.
ed what inefhciences the Civic League
would mark next. requesting pointers I"
Mr.. Berry replied future developments
WOAAO 0AoWCI lhC 4uCollOu dIIu tIIdI uo
was not charging inefiiciency against the
Governor as yet. Then Governor Curtis
put both feet right on the rock bottom
Of the problem and asked Mr.. Berry
what power he as Governor had to i'm
prove conditions. Mr.. Berry suggested
that he warn the delinquent sheriffs and
II necessary thereafter call the Legisla-
ture to remove them. The Governor ask
ed him II he would call the Legislature
for other purposes, too. and the reply
was NO"
Absolutely for High License
Gov Curtis said he had noticed Mr.
Berry had advised certain church gath
erings to support a Christian gentle
man for the gubernatorial nomination
and asked If he, Gov. Curtis, were that
man. Mr.. Berry thereupon explained
that he had intended to ask support
for Christian gentleman who would
stand for the prohibitory law. whereas
he had gone on record as in favor Of
high license and local option.
Absolutely" the Governor empha
sized. He then asked Mr.. Berry If n
respected Justice Emery and upon re-
ceiving an affirmative reply he proceed
ed to read the opinion of Ahe venerable
chief justice upon the power Of a
Maine Governor. Summing up this
text in which Justice Emery says the
Governor is made to take an oath and
made powerless to keep j. Gov. Curtis
declared he was willing to act and I'M
derstood the conditions even better
than Mr.. Berry but had(np power. Mr..
Berry declared that If bthing else
would bring about enforcement the mi
litia should be called out and to this
Gov. Curtis replied somewhat causti-
cally: IF can help it don't intend
to make laughing stock of myself"
Advised With Haines
The Governor asked Mr.. Berry if he
consulted with Gov Haines before the
sheriffs were appointed replacing those
impeached in 1918, and Mr.. Berry said
he did. Did you advise the appoint
ment of O'Connell asked the Gov
ernor. NO" Mr.. Berry answered, Il
advised Gates Of Millinocket."
Thy not get into politics and get
enforcement yourself through office? 2"
was the next question by the Cover
nor. Mr.. Berry answered that it was
bis business to stir the people up to
demand enforcement from those all
ready in office. The Governor drew
forth the information that the Civic
Leagues annual budget amounts to
about $4,000 and remarking that Mr.
Berry knew the Governors salary.
asked if he was willing 20 state his.
Mr.. Berry said his salary is $1,000 per
annum and his assistants receive $500
and $1,000 respectively. the amounts be-
ing fixed by the board of directors He
said in reply to question that the
League had been stirring up" since
1897 and believed it had accomplish
ed much in the interest of enforce
ment. What do the directors say il
You fail to stir the people up?" asked
the Governor; and told that no COM
,plaint was made, he laughed, you
ale more fortunate than we are who
Id public Office"
Show Me, Mr.. Berry
The hearing was drawing to a close
and Gov. Curtis summarized. He de-
'clared that he wanted the best adj
ministration ever" and the best con-
ditions ever and asked Mr.. Berry how
to get them. Mr.. Berry told him he
understood he was a man of consider
eble business ability with a record for
clean insight into business affairs and
thought he ought to use his own juds-
ment in the present instance Gov.
Curtis said he had studied the prob
lem from every angle, understood it
as well as and better than Mr.. Berry.
and had looked in vain for an open.
ing where he might enter the lists and
battle for enforcement. He said he
did not wish to start and stumble but
II he fought he would want a chance
to win. SHOW me. Mr. Berry, where
! can get in and win," he said.
Must Have Been Asleep
Bear in mind" said the Governor.
that l know all these things, but what
can do? 1t is more your duty to look
after them than mine" Mr.. Berry de-
clared that he could do nothing him.
self through the lack Of authority. Gov.
Curtis said he could not appoint one OF
the Leagues agents State detective
because Gov. Haines appointed three
more than the law allowed anyway.
=. Berry said practically all gamb-
Qg devices were eliminated last vear