The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-01-09
NEW MEASURES INTRO
DUCED LAST TUESDAY
Sk0Whegan Water District leminV IN
NeXt Week

measures. Perhaps the most in
portant OF these, SO far as the State
at large Is concerned. vas that max
ing some change in the present Work
mems Compensation law As the law
now stands an injured employe can
collect, for total disability. so per
/ cent Of his weekly wages. not 10 ex-
/ ceed $lo per week. This. however.
does not apply 10 the frst TWO weeks
OF the disability, and furthermore. he
cannot compel payment Tor month
or two, in case the party from whom
( the money IS 70 come sees fl to with
hold it. The measure introduced by
Nj smith increases the percentage
from 30 per cea, 70 - per cent. and
the maximum from SO to $50 per
week; 50 that, If it becomes law. a
disabled workman viii receive IS per
! cen, Of his weekly wage not to exceed
/ S2Q per week. and it will accrue from
I the date OF the injury The measure
:
than delayed payment.
Another act introduced by Mr.
Smith provides for the registration Of
Legislative counsel. This will be bet
ter recognized under the name Anti
Lobby Law as all discussion OF these
measures introduced or adopted in
many OF the states has proceeded
under that name This does not in
pose any burdens. or change the sta
tus OF any citizen. who. in his own in
terest. or in the interest of others
without compensation. goes t. Aacas-
"a 70 promote OF oppose legislation
X simply requires tat those sho 20
there in the pay of Corporations or in
dividuals shall register giving their
name ana addr III party or par
ties by whom they are employed; the
legislation ttef -eek 70 promote or
oppose and n. amount Of compensa-
tlon they receive The law introduc-
ed by Mr. Smith follows, exactly the
one in force in Massachusetts. except
that an additional clause provides
that paid lobbyist shall not approach
representative or senator elect and
attempt to influence him previous to
his taking his seat at Augusta
The third bill introduced by Nr
Smith seeks to provide for the elec-
ton of road commissioners in the va
rious towns and cities. by the people
This would be return to custom of
years gone by. Several years ago.
however, the law was changed and at
present road commissioners are ap-
pointed by the selectmen. Ii the act
introduced by Mr. Smith prevails, this
office will be filled by election at town
meetings in the same manner as Sc
lectmen, town treasurer town clerk.
etc, are chosen.
The act providing for the SkoHhe-
gan Water District will be presented
next week. This is, of course, most
mom"ntous so far as Mr. Smiths per
sonal constituency is concerned The
charter thus granted sought does not
become operative unless voted upon
and accepted by the people OF the dis
trict 50 created sometime within the
next two years In so voting. they
would necessarily provide for the pur-
chase Of the present Skowhegan Water
System. and unless price could be
agreed upon (which Is not regarded
as very probable the purchase would
he made under ar appraisal II the
charter thus sought does not be
come operative unless voted upon
and ,ae Work, are purchased the
district could operate the system as il
now stands. provided they have pa
tiencc to do SO. until favorable op
portunity presented itself for doing
the construction work necessary 10
make the plant such a one as they
would ultimately demand The Wat
er Distrie, thus created would not
embrace according - the terms of
this act. the entire town Of skoWhe-
gan. hu; would take in the territory
which Wa originally The Skowhegan
Village Corporation
Mr. Smith has prepared these meaz-
ura, in ne full confidence tina; ihey
viii me-, the approval af the majorl-
ty OF Sko8heean people In the early
future and surely before they come
To- d vote. he proposes TO call a mass
meeting OF the citizens of Sko@heean.
ewing them thu opportunity - *
press their views upon then
Should the people Of the town ther
decide that any OF these measures Is
not such as they desire. he will see Il
il that their wishes are complied VII
SO far as i, lies in his power Al
this meeting other measures which
he has in mind Will be explained. and
the opportunity vi be given for any
one to suggest acts which they deem
ought TO be presented at Augusta.
A bill was introduced by Senator
Leroy Il Folsom of Norridgewoci
nxoy;dl,o for an incrpase in the sal-