Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-22

cial favors in the legislature and is
not in sympathy with the growing ten
dency for special appropriations.
~ Conflict Apparent
Nm the reports of the committee on
roads and taxation presented at this
forenoon's session of the State Grange,
th6re was a notable conflict over the
mannersof raising money for road
buiMing. the committee on roads re-
porting through it's chairman, Frank
p, Wa4Aburn. of Perry. in favor of a
mill taietr similar tax, while the COM
ntlt1Ae@ on taxation through Chairman
J4hM p. Abbott of Berwick reported
In fat6r Of bond ISSUE
Mr. Abbott and Mr.. Washburn are
both members of the Grange legisla-
tive committee, and Mr.. Washburn is
Ia member of the Legislature. The
roads committee report said: 1.-THE
metApd Of raising money by a further
and larger bond issue has been pro-
posed, bat we cannot endorse it at the
present moment. 1t seems dificult to
believe that the farmers of the State
will care to burden themselves with
the large amount of interest involved
or to impose upon the next generation
the enormous Indebtedness so pro-
posed. 1.-THE only alternative seems a
mill tax and by this is meant not
necessarily a one-mill tax. A small
amount might prove adequate~ or a
larger amount necessary. We. believe
the farmers are willing to subnA to
such tax for the purpose of impfOy-
ing their highways provided some
considerable portion and we suggest
that the per cent. be expended in the
extension of State aid road work in all
the towns"
The roads committee did not criticize
the building of trunk lines. although
questioning the outlay of $1,000 mile,
saying they will bring into the State
traffic which benefits the farmers direct
ly but it did urge as of great immediate
Importance an acceleration in the building
Of State aid roads in order to meet pres
emit rural life demands. -
=. ssss1 Taxation Committee
The committee on taxation, on the 9TH
er hand, said I'VE wish to call your at
tention to the proposed laws regarding
I.the raising of funds to build and main
tain our highways. either by the mill tax
last suggestion to be the most effective
method for the rural population and
while it would necessitate the submission
to the people of a constitutional amend
ment to authorize the issue, yet the re-
suits to be obtained we believe would in
the end justify the grange in supporting
the measure"
The taxation committee recommended
stopping the return to towns of the cor
poration franchise tax, taxation of saw
ings deposits in national banks, and as
sessment OF poll taxes in proportion to,
the amount raised. also that the problem,
of raising public revenue should be ehnf-
mated from political control.
The final report of the credentials COM
mittee this morning showed In attendance
that the 3. delegates representing SS1
oranges, compared with an attendance
at Portland last year Of 55S delegates
representing 1913 oranges.
There were about as many more nom
voting members in attendance.
An invitation was received from
Mayor Milford G. CHAPMAN to meet
there next year. The audience received
it with applause and referred 1t to the
executive committee. Ak
An extensive revision of the bylaws
committee and adopted. An amendment
for the State Grange to pay travelling
expenses of two delegates instead of
one and increase the assessment one
cent quarter was referred to the
subordinate Oranges.
Resolutions for taking elections of
commissioner of EasriGalture out of
politics and for apppih Sfnert Of a farm
er on the highway omMattee were re-
ferred to the. legis3a live cpmmittee.
4 sC.AM. Gardner, of Skowhegan report
led on the farmers 1Tlion and p. T. Nc
[Glaufiin Of Pressure Isle for committee
eNn insurance.
On the legislative. committee were:
Eappointe6 John E.SAbbott, Berwick
Harry S. Jordan, Cape Elisabeth; II.
P. Washburn. Perry. and the master
and lecturer ex7of1cid f +;
AS the Grange representatives on al
general committee ofs50 d. take charged
Of the suffrage camnkn c. S. stet-7
son and Mrs. Esther yves of Easton
were appointed
The annual word was communicated
to nasters and delegates this forenoon.
nhNI AAIn