The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-05-23
Water Powers in Maine


The plan ojn.d b. l.a.at Of state oanreAr a.d d.
1eopnat Of the ".'.r lefs Name on t tr. l. -
plausible and harmless t saa and I'D and ii Idl made
tbe r1nara. Of it, 81" .e 1seraIs and othea~ tie fa
Is shown L. b. Sooial.-'l.. u = t.ssdsfs.s
The reeaaad fsaaas ade ~ ttr,. td9oeats
positive and just .faIH - the promises
Md i4 In Bo,heyiE tatae Ia=-a claim made that IL
oaaers q water powers are fae - - rait, away from tn
people Thai The public teiaa = .H : robbed and tfat
the Stat and N sol leit and sert flc lower col
L. tn consumer than charged u 1b4 H.s copaae,
ard il tact many things advantageous T. - a.r sill orar
II tn STATE shall Dc, clop tn aatar powers.
Tle people Of Maine have had nothing .t. FROM them
Even after the State sold the Wild lands and the power
sites people Maine all the rights they Use
the rivers and and lakes Of Maine business and
pleasure
Not only do the people us. td lakes and streams for bust
pleasure they lands owned by the STATE
for hunting and these lands yield yearly income to the State Of
many thousands Of dollars hunters licenses That the
people Maine have lost any rights they had
That so-caed wild lands sold cheapy
against the development by the State OF the powers
The assumption that future State legislators and State officials
will be better capable business than the past
matter of conjecture
The opposition development by the Of the
powers is based on we'll defined and sound reasoning
FIRST The State does and develop operate
any line of business cheaply does private enter
prise, largely because "eyerybodys business is no.
body business.
SECOND The power developed
outlet which is not in sight and must be created
THIRD State ownership involves political al
most inevitable leads to abuse of political power and
creates scandal.
FOURTH The afford embark enterprise
private capital hestates Private capital Is al
ways willing to embark enterprises when suit
able return is offered on the investment including
the risk involved
FIFTH Private capital is active in the development of
Names capital which has already invest
ed many millions of dollars and which vital
lynterestedm the future prosperity Of the State of
Maine than are those people who have assisted
in the development of Maine natural resources and
who now would commit the State to policy in
yolyng unknown SUMS Of money with uncertain
suits
While the plans outlined by prominent advocate Of
State ownership have changed several times he still claims
right any developed powers that may necessary
carry his ideas he further says that the able
to furnish light and power cheaper than furnished there
by implying that the will into competition with
existing companies which the State has chartered.
Will the people Maine reudae contracts with cor
poratons which the state has charteredg
Will the people of Maine consider those charters as scraps
Of paper?
De the people of Maine wish Civ the impression that
they hostile to development y private capital?
Do the people of Maine think they likely induce CAPT
tai Maine by countenancng hostile agitation?
(signed) WIN. M. PFNNELI, Publicity
CO
&
UNION ELECTRIC
IT. q.
co
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