Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-02-15
Governor Milken Presents Budget to the Legislature

prlat!on to tie University of Maine,
with the understanding that the Uni
versity shall continue the department
in its present form.
Maine State Library.
A salary of s2500 inclusive for all
services is suggested to put the librar-
ian on par with the other heads Of
departments. This salary ought to
command the full-time service OF a
trained librarian at a period when i'm
portant questions relating to our Maine
State Library must be determined.
1t is recommended that the apprcpri-
alton for free public libraries be dis
continued. The general effect now is
TO give the largest appropriation to
those libraries that need it least.
Public Utilities Commission.
L recommend that 5000 out of the
geheral expense of this department be
devoted to special investigation of wat
er powers. either by the Public Utilities
COMMISSION themselves or such other
authority as the Legislature may de-
termlne. This investigation should in
ciuoe the possibilities Of valuation of
undcveloped water powers for taxation
purposes.
The continuation Of the appropriat ton
Of $4,000 for grade CROSSINGS is recon-.
mended
1t should be used, however, for the
pio'ec'lon OF existing crossing leav-
ing any available balance to be
carried forward for future use in the
elimination of such crossings. l have
worked out with the Public Utilities
commission program including the
erection at State expense OF a suitable
sign-post at the proper distance from
each grade crossing, the clearing of
trees, and similar obstacles from the
approaches to crossings which can he
made safe by this means and the in
stallation of automatic signals at
crossings which cannot thus be made
safe and which are not otherwise pro-
tected. 1t is expected that the expense
OF clearing away underbrush and trees
shall be divided equally between the
state and the town or city, and the in :
stallation of automatic signals, when
necessary, shall be paid for by the
railroads themselves. The proposed
program would accomplish the protec-
tlon OF all dangerous crossings on main
lines within about three years.
Sea and Shore Fisheries.
The problem presented by this de-
partment is one of serious concern to a
large section of our State. The great
amount of money spent in this depart
ment during the last two years has
been worse than wasted. The impor-
tant lobster industry is in actual dan
ger of extinction through lax enforce
ment of the laws and the lack of CO.
operation between the fishermen and
the department. l suggest the creation
of commission of three or five mem
bers to take charge of this department.
The force of Wardens should be very
much reduced. Those who remain
should devote themselves to cam
paign of education and attempt to Sc
cure the goodwin and cooperation of
the fishermen Most of the enforce
ment work should be done through the
Attorney Generals office and in addi :
ton, the Commission itself should be
given authority to impose close time
! upon any locality where the law is
'persistently violated. Appropriations
are recommended for this department
in accordance with this program.
Secretary Of State.
| All expense for auto plates, wrap
ping, printing, posting and clerk hire,
should be transferred to the Highway
| Dc epartment, whether the actual work
is done there or in the Office of the
Secretary of State. No special appro-
! priation for the purchase of copies of
| the Maine State Year Book is recon-
mended. The number actually needed
can be purchased out of the regular Ii
brary appropriation.
Board Of Charities and Corrections.
| The appropriation asked for is abun-
dainty justified by the valuable work of
this board and is heartily recommend
ed. 1t should be paid as a direct ap-
preparation instead of being deducted
from the amounts given to charitable
institutions.
State Highway Commission.
The mill tax for road construction is
recommended to take effect in 1918.
The suggested program of indirect
taxation will make possible setting
aside the whole mill tax for road con-
struction in that year without exceed
| ing a total State tax rate of five mills.
About S15O,000 out of the mill tax for
roads should be set aside for additional
State aid and $4,000 for an equaliza-
ton fund. The balance should be ap-
piied to trunk line construction.
! In order to continue the road build
ing program through 1917 the remain
ing highway loan bonds amounting to
100000 should be issued. With the
Federal aid. s345,354.50 would thus be
available in 1917 for trunk line con-
struction. In case the expenditure OF
this money cannot be sufficiently con
solidated to meet the terms of the Fed
/ eral aid, it might be advisable to re-
issue the highway bonds, already re-
tired and the requisite legislative au
thority should be given for this pur-
pose.
A total appropriation of 100000 for
State aid for market roads is recon-
mended for 1917 and an equalization
fund of $5O,OO0 to provide for especial
ly deserving cases. All the admins
trative expenses of the Highway De-
partment should be paid out of the re-
ceipts from automobile license fees
Authority should be given to use for
other road purposes in the discretion
of tho LJjohwav DepartneOt and the