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

and the law Of bills of lading, the pro-
posed acts being the uniform laws COW
ering these matters drawn up by the
board of commissioners for the promo
ton of uniformity of legislation in the
United States. The acts were supported
by Sen. Harry E. Davis Of Piscataquis,
Harry L. Cram Of Portland, one of the
commissioners for Maine, Thomas b.
Eaton of New York City, general coun-
sci for the American Bankers Associa-
ton, Hon. Hollis E. Bailey of Boston,
one of the bar examiners of Massachu-
sets and a member of the committee on
legislation of the national conference of
commissioners on uniform state laws.
Senator Davis explained that he favor
ed the uniform law of negotiable instru-
ments particularly from the point OF
view of a banker and that the bankers
would appreciate such legislation.
Harry L. Cram explained that the
commission was composed of three
members appointed from each state who
meet every year and discuss uniform
legislation, uniform law of negotiable
instruments was drawn up in 1896, 1t
has now been adopted by As states and
three territories, the only states which
have failed to adopt 1t are Maine. Geor-
gia and Texas. The uniform law of
warehouse receipts was drawn in 1906
and the uniform law of bills of lading
in 1909 and have also been very widely
adopted by the states. He spoke of the
value of having uniform laws so that
we may know in Maine what the law is
in other states
Mr.. Patton said the uniform law of
negotiable instruments had originated
,,rif hL hap nd baI ht-
bankers. Today he said 80 per cent of
the business of the country is carried
on through the use of negotiable instru-
ments. He reviewed the growth of leg
islation and judicial decisions in the sew
eral states. which resulted in wide di-
versity among the states although the
nation is commercially one.
Among changes which the proposed
law would make in the laws of Maine is
the change of the person who signs
note on the back from a co-maker to
an indorser. At present he is a co-inaker
in some circumstances and an indorSer
in others. Sen. Gillin asked if it would
not be of great advantage to know eX-
actly what the signer was but Sen. Da-
vies pointed out that it would change
the whole body of decisions in this
State.
II. G. Powers of FIT Fairfield asked if
the law had been adopted exactly as
written in all states and Mr.. Patton re-
piled that there had been a few amend
ments.
Hollis r. Bailey of Boston spoke of the
experience of Massachusetts. which
adopted the uniform law of negotiable in
struments and has adopted several of the
uniform laws since and never has found
any objection or any sentiment for going
back to the old system. He explained
the advantages of the uniform laws OF
bills of lading and warehouse receipts
and urged the committee to report ia
vorably on all three measures. These
! laws are not simply for the judges and
lawyers and business men of Maine, he
said, but for the judges and lawyers and
business men of the whole country He
also told of the movement to encourage
the uniformity of judicial decisions on
the Uniform legislation
Robert II. Bean of Portland. treasurer
OF the Casco Mercantile Trust Co. of
Portland. emphasized the value of uni
J form laws from the point of view of the
banker and business man. Such laws
enable a business man accepting a note
check or warehouse receipt to know at
once whether it is in proper form.
ii. G. Powers of Fort Fairfield spoke
briefly in opposition to the uniform law
of negotiable instruments. He didn't like
TO see the committee wipe out at one fell
blow the present law along this line and
substitute another. The other may be
better law he said but fba o,a now, O.,
force is our law and the business men
and bank officials are familiar with It. It
is Impossible to get uniformity anyway.
he said. because the states make differ
ences in adopting the law and the courts
make different interpretations of it.
Harry r. Virgin of Portland appeared
In behalf of the act to incorporate the
Cumberland Bar Association.
The act to give the Dexter municipal
court concurrent jurisdiction with the
Newport municipal court in cases aris-
ing in Corinna was supported by William
b. Pierce and P. A. Hasty of Dexter.
Judge Benz. F. Cleaves, chairman of the
PUBIC Utilities Commission, appeared IN
hehalt of an act giving that commission
the right to appear in the law court IN
connection with cases appealed from the
COMMISSION and making it the duty of
the Fubiic Utilities Commission to enter
such appearance in matters which If in.
yates itself AS the law is at present
! ne explained, the petitioners side of ;,
case is never heard in the law court I'M
less the petitioners want to hire counsel,
with the result that in many cases the
law court hears only one side. The pro-
posed measure is in line with the laws
relating to the public service commission
in other states.
MERCANTILE AFFAIRS AND IN.
ClIPAMNE