Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-21

powers. asked several questions-not,
he explained, as 81 opponent but mere
ly for his information.
Charles B. Carter, the Auburn attor-
new. who appeared for the proponents,
sketched briefly the history of the
Great Northern Paper Co. from the
time it purchased the charter and
rights of the Great Northern Develop
ment Co, a few years ago. Then this
section of Maine was merely an unde-
veloped wilderness, Its wonderful wat
er powers running to waste. Recognize
ing the necessity of developing the
flow the company asked and after mucn
opposition obtained charterfor its sub
sidiary organization the West Branch
Log Driving and Reservoir Dam Co.
What has been the result for
Maine?" The Penobscot river has a
flow of 1000 feet per second, this de-
velopment having been accomplished
at the expense of the Great Northern
Co. although all property owners along
the aiver share in the benefits. From
the heart of the wilderness have sprung
the towns of Millinocket and East Mil
linocket with a combined population OF
1921 persons and valuation OF w.
900, 900. The payroll of the Great
Northern spruce department alone to-
tails s1,S00,O00 yearly and the pay roll
of the mill proper is 100000. In 1916
the corporation paid into the treasury
of Maine a tax of 500, 400. THE policy
and purpose of the corporation is SIM
ply to make paper" said Mr.. Carter.
I'VE have no intention of selling light
or power
The purpose of the proposed act Mr..
Carter said, is simply to permit the
Great Northern to utilize the 1000 cubic
feet of water which flow every second
through Ripegenous and North Twin
dams-at present sheer economic
waste "All that we ask, said he, is
the privilege of dropping a few water
wheels into this great surplus power.
thus producing electricity which will be
carried over our own lands to our own
mills without Interfering with or de-
tracing from, any person in the world.
We merely ask permission to harness
this surplus water power for the good
of the Great Northern itself"
, Mr.. Baxter. who was careful to ex-
plain that he did not appear as an OPP
ponent, asked Would your company OBJ
ject to the insertion of clause similar
to that inserted in the Androscoggin
Reservoir bill in 1909 to the effect that
the State may take over the franchise
rights and corporations, at any time that
1t sees fit and upon payment of a rea-
sonable recompense?"
To this Mr.. Carter replied, that had
this clause been suggested when his
company had been Incorporated there
was no telling what attitude his nrec-
tors might have taken. But in the
years since organization was perfected,
millions had been spent in development
and contracts made with third parties,
without any such clause in contempla
ton; and he believed it's introduction
now would be neither necessary nor
proper. This was the salient part of
the hearing which was much briefer
than anticipated
n. B. Tracy of Auburn argued for the
bill which he drew himself and which
provides for the creation of a Peoples
Rights and Water Power Commission
for the State of Maine.
This commission. which is composed
of five members and tQ be non partisan,
shall take possession of all unoccupied
water powers and shall advertise water
power to let in a manner which will
best reach manufacturers of cheap pow
err" 1t shall also take possession of all
occupied powers and utilize them for
benefit of the people.
Mr.. Tracy in a long address held that
all water powers are now the property
of the people by virtue of grant CIV
en- by William and Mary of England to
that part of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony which is now the State of Maine
the people therefor would be merely TAX
ing possession of their ancient and in
herited rights 1t has been estimated
said he, that the total horsepower in
Maine is 100000, it is in reality much
more, assuming each horsepower can be
sold for $50 this would mean an annual
revenue to Maine of 100000, 900; SIS
100000 could be expended for running
expenses of cities and towns. $4,000
for good roads, $4,000, 900 for the con-
struction of dams. etc. and there would
remain $20,000,000 to be divided as an
annual revenue among the people, the
Utopian dream of Col. Mulbury Sellers,
who will be recalled by all readers of
the Gilded Aged had nothing on it
whatever.
Mr.. Tracy was followed by Prof. l..
- bdteiiall Oh Lewiston, VINO Sketched
vlVldly the fall of ancient Babylon, an
Gent Greece, Egypt, Rome-his word
painting OF the ruined palaces of the
caesars being a masterpiece of descrip-
tive power. His point was that nations
decay and fall when their wealth is CON
centrated in the hands of a few. And
Maine and the United States is rapidly
| falling into this condition. He also told
after much length how the price of coal
IS steadily advancing. Il pay S12 a ton
| ana next year it will be worse"
You have heard it said in silyery
tones that these corporations labor for
the good of the people. They don't They
TABOR Tor the good of themselves; give
an inch and they'll take a foot. give
them a foot and they'll take everything
| there is Tremendous applause greeted
Prof. Bateman's remarkable address.
SEA AND SHORE FISHERIES
Lobster License Law and Other I'm.