Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-02

Hon. J. B. Bass Of Bangor called on
James M. Gillin. Esq, the city solicit
or of that city, as the first person in
opposition to the repeal of the law.
Attorney Gillin gave a history of
the act, citing the fact that for 80
years 1t has been on the statute books
OF Maine. that some of the greatest
minds in the state have passed upon
1t and that one committee on taxation
unanimously reported that no change
should be made in the present law
whereby the cities and towns will re-
ceive a rebate from the taxation of
railroad, telegraph and telephone COM
panies.
IF you repeal this law. gentlemen of
the committee" said Attorney Gillin.
"the city of Bangor will lose $4S, 5000
Every man who pays a tax on $1,000
worth of property in that city will
have to pay a tax Of two mills more
on dollar if you repeal this act.
There are poor men in your city and
my city who should be considered as
well as the Aroostook farmers who
are selling potatoes this year"
Mr.. Bass called upon Mayor MILFORD
6. Chapman Of Portland, who strong
ly opposed the repeal of the law.
Portland, if this act is repealed, will
lose $4,000" said Mayor Chapman,
and as this law has been on the stat
ute books of this State for over 80
years. don't see any occasion for
changing it now. The city Of Portland
is within a few thousand dollars Of its
borrowing capacity and if this bill
passes it will hit my city pretty hard.
During the past year we are building
a high school at a cost Of 500, 900 and
this school is furnishing education for
the children Of the poor. Some of the
students at that high school come from
some of the poorest families of the city
OF Portland. The burden Of taxation
falls upon the working men of the
cities. who earns wages and who pays
rent. The expense Of running the Port
land schools increased $57 900 during
the past year.
II Portland goes down if Portland
ceases to grow, Maine loses it's place
on the map. The passage OF this act
will increase the tax rate of Portland
81. OF all the times when our financial
system ought not to be disturbed, now
is the time
Captain Lucian w. Blanchard Of
Rumford told the committee that his
town would lose $4,000 if this bill was
passed. and II 1t wasn't for the law
whereby the State taxes this class Of
property the cities and towns would
receive just twice as much as they do
now. He said that if this tax is taken
away the rate in his town will increase
$3.50 per $1,000 of valuation
Rep. Fulton ]. Redman Of Ellsworth
spoke againts the repeal of the law.
saying that since he had come to the
Legislature he had seen an evident
clash between the city as against the
country. He thought that this was an
unhealthy condition Of affairs and
something which would not tend to the
development of the State.
1.-THE bill would hurt the cities and
the great industrial centers Of our
State" declared Rep. Redlnan.
President Bailey Of the Senate came
out strongly for the retention of the
present law in the method of the dis
tribution Of the tax.
This law should not be changed and
no existing law should be changed I'M
less there is some good reason for it,"
said President Bailey. land 7 have
heard no arguments or facts advanced
why it sould be changed AS men,
Der of this Legislature and as a citi-
zen ] am opposed to any law which
will unfairly distribute the burdens Of
taxation"
Henry P. Frank. corporation coun-
sci of Portland. Melvin f. Sawtelle.
c;% Of
F. Woodman Of Bangor. Orlando f.
Frost Of Belfast and Hon. j. p Bass of
Bangor also spoke briefly AGAINST any
change in the present method Of dis
tributing the tax.