Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-06
I move that the matter be indefi-

s-o' move that the matter De 1noeu-
nltely postponed.
Mr.. COLE Of Eliot: Mr.. Speaker. I do
not know whether the gentleman tMr.
Dutton) lives in a thickly settled COM
munity where there is great deal OF
automobile travel, or not; but 1t is not
very pleasant to be kept awake half the
night by those fellows who go whistlins
along with their cut-out wide open. II
the gentleman is familiar with that phase
of the matter he would realize some of
the troubles of those who do live in such
places in those portions of the State
where automobiles are going a all times
of day or night. There is today law
against motorboats running with cut-outs
and muff1ers open for the protection OF
the people along the coast Now | do
not know why the people inland should
not be protected as well. 1t does not
strike me that an innocent man would
suffer. because any innocent man can
prove in court that he is innocent if ar
rested for this offense and no judge would
ever fine him. Every man is presumed 70
know the law and it is not the innocent
man who is usually punished.
Mr. MERRILL of Gray. Mr.. Speaker
l believe that the annoyance to the inno-
cent sick person would be greater than
it would to that innocent man who might
be fined.
Mr.. HARRINGTON of Augusta: Mr.
Speaker, | believe that the part relating
to the muller is all right. but it strikes
me that the rest CT that bill might open
up quite an avenue of trouble for the per-
son driving an automobile. NO person
driving an automobile shall open the
muff1er cut-out." That is all right. Nor
hermit such motor vehicle to make any
unnecessary noise That is the part tnal
, / question.
Mr.. BARNES of Houlton; Mr.. Speaker,
of course this. is what is called a Grim
inal statute. and before a-y judge would
consider any evidence on that matter O.
unnecessary noise he would have to be
shown that the man knowingly and VII
fully permitted to make unnecessary
noise. hope that this matter will pass
Just as it is written. There are IN Inc
cities and towns of Maine a class of men
who will deliberately pass the churches
on Sunday morning and open Their cut
outs to make a noise. AS to the punish
ment the punishment is any sum from
one cent to twenty dollars; and l think
we can trust the court to do right about
that 1t Is one Of those statutes that it
seems to me just the enactment of will
correct the difficulty. | see no serious o.
lection, viewing it from the standpoint OF
my brother from Augusta. J. hope tina.
/ the act will pass.
/ Mr. CIASOE of Lisbon: Mr. Speaker.
being on that committee, will state why,
as far as / remember. We put in the worIs
/ unnecessary noise" There are lots OF
cases where they not only open the mut-
fer, but they start their horns and kee.l
them going for a mile at a time through
the main thckly travelled streets. | think
the bill is perfectly right and ought u
pass. l drive an automobile and may
be one of those innocent persons arrest
] ed: and l am willing to be if l am eVad-
J ing that law.
Mr.. USSABARGER of Lubec: Mi
Speaker. when / first read the law, my
! first thought was that it was too drastic
but since 1t has been explained, especially
by the gentleman from Houlton, MT
Barnes l am in favor of it. | can re-
/ call when | was speaking out CT doors
! in a bandstand in times of political ex-
! element, with great crowd hstehiilE
intentlv to every word Of eloquence that
proceeded from my throat, some fellow
would come down the hill footing his horn
and raising Cain in general. lie woulI
/ come down the hill though there were
/ other streets that went out of town. al
! full tilt l think a man who will do a
thing like that ought to be fined
/ Mr.. HARRINGTON of Augusta; Mr..
/ Sneaker, I am convinced; I will vote for
! the bill. CApplause)
Mr.. BUTTON of Bingham: Mr..
! Speaker, when the lawyers and minis
! ters combine 1 think it is time for the
| layman to withdrew his motion. CAP
4 plause.)
Mr.. BUZZELL of Belfast: Mr..
| Speaker, do not rise to offer an
! amendment The thought suggested it
! self to me that perhaps we might make
that law broad enough to cover those
| that were engaged in talking from the
! band-stand
Mr.. MURRAY of Bangor: will
/ second that motion.
!
! Portlands motion (Mr. Allan) was that
the bill be given its third reading
/ The motion was agreed to and the
( bill was passed to be engrossed in con-
! CurrenCe.
From the Senate Report of commit
/ tee on ways and bridges, to which was
! referred bill An Act to amend Chapter
| 319 of the Public Laws of 1915, entitled
An Act to provide for State and county
! aid in the construction of highway
| bridges, have had same under consid-
Grafton and ask leave to report that
| same ought to pass.
/ The report accepted in concurrence.
| Comes from Senate amended by SEN
| ate amendment A and Senate amend
ment b.
| On motion by Mr.. Harrington of Au-
| gusta. the House concurred in the adop-