Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-30

lndeeJ TO nave your views, MT. JOr0a9.
Ex-senator Mathew c. Morrill, OF
Gray said that he favored the appoint
ment OF a commission.
~ represent the class who live out
side the charmed circle and We burn
kerosene" said the speaker
1T is high time that the State looked
over this power situation he said. Ito
see il the farmers could not be induced
10 do more farming. II seems as il We
farmers are not up where we ought to
be. Where are the men who are oppos-
ed to this investigation: Why don't
they come here openly and oppose It
instead of opposing it behind the door,"
Rep. Barnes-Is there a widespread
demand for this investigation?
Mr.. Morrill-Ies; in the country, l am
sure, but of course l don't know much
about the sentiment in the cities.
Rep. Earnes-Is there a demand here
today for an investigation?
Mr.. Morrill, can't say as to that.
People who would favor an investiga-
ton if they came here would have to
pay their own bills.
Rep. Barnes-Do you represent the
farmers Of YOUR section?
Mr.. Morrill-Yes. ! do. ard ] pay my
own bills while l am here
The Perkins Bill
Representative Ralph l.. Perkins OF
Orono. who introduced one of the bills
calling for the appointment Of a COM
mission to investigate the power situa-
ton. stated that he was a burner Of
kerosene, but in his section at leas.
he believed that the people wanted 20
find out the possibilities of water pow-
err development
Rep. Perkins then read that section Of
the Republican State platform advocat.
ing on investigation of the water pow
ers.
IAN investigation was made by the
public utilities commission" said Rep.
Perkins. 'but the public utilities COM
mission. with all it's other work, did
not get further than the a C's of
this matters I believe that a commits
sion should be selected to make a thor
ough investigation of this important
que tion. And this commission should
hold public meetings SO all could be
given an opportunity to be heard. No
public hearings were. held by the pub
Tic utilities commission"
Rep. Perkins thought that a COM
mission consisting Of three members
instead of five members could do the
work with the assistance of the pub
lie utilities commission.
And l do not care" said the
gentleman from Orono. whether my
bill or the Baxter bill passes, SO long
as the investigation is made"
Joseph F. Gould of Old Town. rep
resenting the Penobscot Chemical
Fibre Co. at Great Works. manufac-
turers Of pulp and paper. spoke in
favor Of the appointment Of a COM
mission to make an investigation.
He said that his company came to
Maine 81 years ago and without
State capital has developed one Of
the greatest powers in the State.
II am here not only to oppose any
effort to stop an investigation but
am heartily in favor Of it." said Mr..
Gould.
"Our people think Maine is a good
state to do business in." said Attor-
ney Gould. but just as long as the
matter Of State ownership is kicked
around like football, capital is tim
i'd. Capital won't invest until the
thing Is settled. Let US get the facts
and we can trust the people to adopt
a policy. Personally would pre-
fer that the investigation be contin.
ued by tho Public Utilities Com
mission. but 1t Is immaterial as to
who makes the investigation. Per-
sonally. am opposed to a permanent
commission. as I do not think it is
needed. We feel that the matter can
not be settled until all the facts are
obtained.
Attorney Gould read a letter from
c. F. Bragg. president Of the Orono
Pulp & Paper Co., in which he said
that he favored an investigation.
Chairman Davies-You want the
State to adopt some settled policy,
do you not. Mr.. Could?
Attorney Gould-Yes. we don't
want the matter banded abouts
Rep. Barnes-How much time
would 1t take in your opinion to make
such an investigation?
Attorney Could--That Is a hard
thing to tell. I believe that the
strong feature Of the so-called Per-