Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-15
The South and Tam
many Figure Largely
in Rivers and Harbors
Bill
HOW THE MAINE
MEMBERS VOTED
Senator Burleigh Urging Public
Building Projects Along-Ap-
oropriati0ns Made for Some of
These Years AgO-The Case
of Skowhegan-G uerns ey
Working for Hoult0n

Washington, D. c.. April 14.-(Spe-
ciaD.-The Maine members Of the
House gave only half-hearted support
TO the rivers and harbors bill which
has Just passed there. They did not re-
gard it as altogether meritorious
measure, for one reason because it
provided so large appropriations for
southern water ways and so little for
the northern ones. They thought the
Democratic authorities had not done as
we'll as might have been done in formu-
lating measure of that character and
Importance. They resented the provis-
ion in the bill, placed there at the in
stance Of Tammany members who per-
suaded President Wilson to urge a new
project for a deeper channel to the
New York navy yard. This item in the
bill, which was supposed to carry no
new projects at all, proved very gall
ing to representatives on: both sides
the legislative chamber
Representative Peters of Maine vot-
ed to recommit the rivers and harbors
bill with instructions as formulated by
Representative Treadway of Massachu-
sets, WIN Whom he IS on very friend
" personal terms. Mr.. Peters also vot-
ed against the bill on its final passage.
Representative Guernsey voted pres
ent' in both. instances, having been
paired with a Democrat. Representa-
tive Kinds and Representative McGilli-
cuddy voted against recommitting and,
later, for the passage Of the bill, which
now goes to the Senate for action. Just
what the Senate will do with the bill is
not altogether certain yet. The meas
ure must first be considered by the
commerce committee.
Representative Guernsey has been
giving lot Of time to the necessities
Of Houlton, Maine, for a larger post
office and better facilities for handling
the mails. Over year ago he began a
careful investigation Of the needs Of
that office and embodied his conclu-
slons in bill for the purchase of land
and for the erection thereon of an ex-
tension to the present public building.
IN the meantime, at Mr.. Guernsey's in
stance, the treasury officials have been
looking over the situation at Houlton
ana recently a definite statement of
what the office requires has been made
up there. This shows that Houlton
needs more floor space than had been
originally figured. that quite 1000 more
square feet of foor space will be i'm
perative before long. Consequently Mr.
Guernsey has introduced a bill to meet
with the Houlton requirements as fig
urea out by the treasury experts. This
ol,i calls for $4,000 for the purchase Of
auoitional land and $4,000 for the ex-
tension
mutton may or may not obtain the
appropriation at this session Of Con.
s.ess but it will almost surely be vot-
~ oeiore March 4 next Indeed. there
soll'e prospect that late this session
., Jew OF the imperative projects like
a n.. at Houlton will be provided for in
IL "''le omnibus public building bill. II
n,. n.' altogether difficult NOWADAYS to
;nsa appropriations for public build
hv ' ~ localities where it can be shown
csn 'enaole data that public business
il pe more economically transa cted
puoiic building than in rented
No. secretary of the Treasury
aeAdoo has taken a very aao;das
against public buildings excent