Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-03

state and that no steps should be taken
that will discourage capital from contin-
uing old Industries or establishing new
ones in this State, or that will make L
more difficult for the people of the State
to be supplied with light and power; and
That it is the opinion of the Legislature
that steps should be taken to determine
what rights of ownership, if any, the
State has in storage reservoirs and basins
and in water powers; and
That the State should not part with it's
rights in any water power or storage res
ervoir or basin, except after investigation
and report by some competent authority
acting for it; and
In pursuance of the foregoing, the Pub
lie Utilities Commission is hereby Greet
ed and ordered to make a careful and
thorough investigation of both the de-
veloped and undeveloped water powers
and of the water storage reservoirs and
basins of this State. showing what rights
remain to the State therein. and what are
the possibilities of development and the
probable cost of the same: and
The said commission is hereby directed
and ordered to take up and continue the
work begun by the State Water Storage
Commission, which was created by Chap
ter 2l2 of the Laws of Maine for 1909;
and
The said commission is further directed
to make a full report with such recon-
mendations as it may deem advisable to
the next Legislature; and
1t is further ordered that the sum of
5000 is hereby appropriated fer the year
1917 and the sum of $500 for 1918 to be
used by the said Public Utilities Com
mission in carrying out the purposes of
this resolution.
On motion by Rep. Baxter Of Portland
the resolve was tabled and assigned for
Tuesday morning, SEQ copies having been
ordered printed.
The committee of conference upon
the resolve in favor of Freeman Boynton
reported that they were unable to agree
and on motion of Rep. Rounds of Port
land. Speaker Bonney appointed new
committee of conference, consisting of
Reps Cole of Eliot. Washburn of Perry
and Packard of Rockland.
When the ssabarger bone-dry bill
came in from the committee on temper
ance with its divided report. along party
lines. the Republican members voting
ought not to pass, and the Democratic
members reporting ought to pass, it was
tabled on motion of Rep. Andrews Of
| Warren, one of those who signed the
minority report. Under suspension of
/ the 24-hour rule the Bussabarger bill
| was especially assigned for Thursday.
| Rep Redman of Ellsworth tabled the
adverse report upon the highway bond
issue and Rep. Dutton of Bingham
tabled adverse reports of the highway
committee on various resolves relating
to roads and bridges.
Senator Gillin of Penobscot was pre-
Sented to the House and on suggestion
was given unanimous consent to address
the House. for Rep. Murray of Bangor,
who was unable to be present. This
was an unusual proceeding and the
senator was given round of applause,
before and after speaking.
After the bill to revise the inland fish
and game laws had been passed to be
! engrossed. Rep. Harrington had it re-
considered and the matter tabled, but
he latter stated that it had been taken
care of and the bill was again passed to
be engrossed
A large number of measures were
passed to be enacted. though when that
relating to the formation of unions for
the employment of school superintend-
ents was reached. Rep. Jordan moved
indefinite postponement and Rep. Dut-
ton had it tabled until Tuesday
Act amending the law relating to
| increasing the salary of the insurance
commissioner was Indefinitely postpon-
! ed, Rep. Cole stating that the purpose
of which it had been intended being
| spoiled by other bills, increasing vari-
Gus salaries.
The act to regulate the operation of
| jitney buses or any other steam or mo-
tor driven vehicles, was passed to be
engrossed, after being amended so that
the fines imposed if any shall be spent
on the piece of road if it is under the
supervision of the highway commits
sion.
Act relating to salaries of retired su-
preme court justices was indefinitely
postponed on motion of Rep. Rounds.
The acts for the establishment of
the Maine Water Power Commission and
| for the transmission of electric power
beyond the limits of the State prohib-
ited' were specially assigned for Tues.
day morning
Rep. Jordan of Raileyville, pending
the acceptance of the report ought not
| to pass of the committee on education
| An Act relating to the ages between
which children are required to attend
| school, had the bill retabled until Tues
| day, but Rep. Harrington at once moved
| reconsideration of the vote, which was
done Discussion ensued, joined in bv
Reps. harrington. Jordan, Williams of
Auburn, and Snow of Mars Hill. the
general opinion being that the report
should be accepted. This was voted.
Upon motion of Rep Wilson of Port
land the minority report, ought to pass.
| OF the committee on judiciary on bill
amending the Revised Statutes relative
! to leases was opted He explained
| that this amended the law to take care
| of the fire clause in leases whereby
| when property is damaged by fire and
rendered untenable the lessor or lessee
| may terminate the lease
Rep, harrington explained that the
reason the committee reported as ~
dld was not to cumber the Statutes and
this statement being followed bv Mr.
wilson's explanation, the bill was pas