Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-12
feb12-13-14


in the granting of water power rights
to corporations, and stating that no
more such rights should be given away
until the State had found out what it
really owned and had adopted some
definite policy regarding them. This
left the matter with the Public Utili-
ties Commission for investigation.
"Since going over the matter with
the friends of conservation l believe
we should so even farther than my
original Resolve provided. The Pub
lie Utilities Commission has all, and
even more than it can attend to. with
out having charge of water power in
vestigationS. This question can be
better handled by a separate board
which can devote its entire attention to
this single question. Moreover. the
subject being in my opinion the most
vital one before us. believe it worthy
of all the consideration we gan give
it. If the Public Utilities Commission
are to handle it, it will be as Il sec
ondary matter only.
'In view of this | asked that the
hearing on the first Resolve be con-
tinued as I have introduced an Act
! establishing tho Maine Water Power
! Commission. This commission will
/ have all the powers of the State
Water Storage Compassion of 1909
! abolished in 1879 together with ad
dtional powers and duties. This
board of three members appointed by
/ the Governor shall, to quote from the
act make annual report to the Cover
nor and Council showing the progress
made in their Investigations, and they
/ shall report to the next Legislature, if
| practical. a comprehensive and practi-
cal plan for tho improvement and Gre
alton of such water storage reservoirs
and basins as will tend to develop and
conserve the water powers of the
State, and shall report on what rights
remain to the state in the natural stor-
age reservoirs and basins ia tho de-
veloped and undevelopCd water pow
crs, and the best method of developing,
them in the interest of the people
of the State. and whether the same
are in any respect being curtailed or
otherwise being adversely affected by
any person. firm or corporation.
"All dams for storage and power
purposes must be approved by this
board, subject to appeal to an impartial
tribunal if any corporation considers
itself aggrieved.
II do not believe this act interferes
in any way with the lawful rights of
companies now operating in the State,
or with the future development of
legitimate enterprises. However. if we
are ever going to adopt any broad plan
of State control we can not afford to
delay our action for meanwhile rights
are being asked which little by little
are taking from the State its greatest
natural asset. We have many com
missions and boards In this State and
those who do not want the public to
know what our water power rights are
will certainly appeal TO the prejudices
Of many who naturally hesitate TO es-
tablish a new commission.
Il believe in opening wide the books
and letting all of us see just what the
situation is. The general public must
be educated in this subject; it takes a
long time to awaken intelligent public
/ interest. | propose TO devote my time
to helping the cause, Notwithstanding
the fact that in so doing | shall bring
upon myself the hostility and opposi-
ton of those who prefer to keep us in
the dark, those who prefer the old sys1
TEN of keeping the public quiet while
somebody takes away it's birthright.
AS far as standing in the way of
progress goes. 1t is better to stand in
the way of corporate exploitation and
/ hold matters up for q couple of years
than to let our rights slip out of our
hands forever.
There are many friends of water
power conservation in this legislature
] hope We can all find comon ground
on which to stand, and if my bill is the
right one, | hope it will be passed
/ You will find that there are a number
of water bills before us which will re-
/ quire careful attention and if passed at
all. will need to he amended so as to
protect the public interest. After all
are before us, ! think a definite policy
can be planned that will allow those
! to pass which do not take away the
States rights, either now or in the fu-
ture: the others should be refused
passage. This cannot be done without
a real contest, however.
/ II have received encoura cement from
J all sections of Maine. People are ac-
tually taking a lively interest. though
but few Of them can afford to take the
time or money to come to Legislative
hearings. On the other hand the cor
porations will be adequately repre-
scented, we may be sure.
an such a situation the members
must represent the people; the work
must be carried on by volunteers with
out the assistance of the well Maid and
we'll organized attorneys which the
corporations keep in Augusta to guide |
1 Ill