Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-23

which next year happens to fall on
the very first day. will ratify the pro-
, hibition amendment to the federal
! constitution. 1t was thought at one
time that the session would be brief
one but later indications point to the
fact that it will run about the aver
age Length Of meeting of the Great
and General Court.
Measures looking for the State con-
troll OF water powers, enlargement OF
! the State House or the erection OF
separate Office building. granting the
right of suffrage to women, the aboli
ton OF town farms and the creation
in their stead Of county or district
, almshouses. a resident hunters Ii
cense law, amendments to the work.
mems compensation act and the pro-
hibition of the sale Of Uno or near"
beer are included in the matters
which are to be considered by the
Legislature. Problems relating 20 the
re construction and adjustment peri
cd after the war will also be taken
up.
Representative elect Percival P.
Baxter of Portland will, it is under
stood, introduce at this session the
same kind of a bill looking to the
: State ownership of water powers as
he did at the last session. Mr.. BaX-
ter recently said that there would be
few minor changes from the one
which he introduced at the last ses-
sion. but in the main it would be
practically the same. This measure
is expected to furnish some of the
fireworks of the session, and it is
expected that the power companies
will maintain 4 large lobby as they
did at the session two years ago.
1t is claimed that with the excep-
ton Of the Offices of the Public IT'LL
tiles Commission and the Depart
ment of State that there isn't de-
partment in the State House that has
room enough for the desks. to say
nothing of filing cabinets and elbow
room. The State Department of
health and Adjutant General have al
ready had to leave the Capitol and
is very well situated on the east side
, of the Kennebec river in the old
arsenal property on the State hospi-
tai grounds.
But there are some who contend
! that there is no reason why the State
Department of Health should not be
right under the dome along with the
others, provided room can be found
for it.
The State House was last enlarged
under the administration of Governor
Bert NJ. Fernald, the Legislature of
1909 under a resolve introduced by
Representative Edgar Z. Rounds Of
Portland. appropriating the sum OF
$500 for the purpose. The en-
largcment was then made by adding
wing on the north and one on the
south Of the building. 1t is now felt
that the center wing may be extended
to the westward or new wings built
IT right angles to the present struc-
ture may be added to the north and
south ends. The latter method would
give two short wings Of three stories
and a basement each and would care
for the States needs for years.
II Is understood that the friends Of
suffrage will again appeal to the
Legislature for a resolve to be voted
on at special election to be held
next September or at the regular
State election to be held in Septem-
Der 1920. The resolve for con-
stitutional amendment was passed by
H.. Ia. I iola far h1t tho npOn1a
turned down the proposition to give
women the right to vote at special
election held in September, 1917. by
n decisive margin.
The act to provide for district or
county almshouses was defeated by
the last Legislature. but the propon-
ents OF the idea claim that the senti-
mont will he in favor of it at the
coming. session. The state Board Of
Charities and corrections, which ia
,ors the proposed law. says that I'M
der the new arrangement there will
DC "A better average distribution OF
the cost among the several commun-
tiles composing the union or district.
An act for resident hunters Ii
cense law was defeated at the last
session. Willis T.. Parsons of Fox
croft. commissioner of inland fish
cries and game. is in favor Of the
proposition as are many prominent
sportsmcn throughout the State.
A movement is on foot to secure
tho passage Of an act which would
prohibit the sale Of so-called near"
beer. which is supposed to contain
less than three per cent of alcohol.
4 similar act. which was introduced
by Coy. Milliken when he was a
member of the House of Representa-
tives in 1909. was passed, but the
referendum law was invoked and the
measure was respected by the people.
The next Legislature will be over
whelmipgIy Republican, with 20 Re-
publican and two Democratic men,
hers OF the Senate and 112 Repub-
lican and 30 Democratic members Of
tho House OF Representatives.
For State Offices
Not a contest Is In sight. in sharp
contrast to two years ago, for the
state offices. the incumbents Of which
are elected by the Legislature. At
torney General Guy II. Sturgis of
Portland. Secretary Of State Frank
w. Ball OF Milo. State Treasurer Jo-
scph W. Simpson Of York and Com
missioner of Agriculture John A.
Roberts OF Norway will be elected
without a murmur. Two years ago
there was a lively contest for the Of