Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-08

ing to pay a fair price for the bene-
fits received,
am not advocating the States
taking over the developed Water
Powers or Of developing thoge that
are now undeveloped. The future
will determine whether or not this is
advisable.
IL Constitutional Amendment is
necessary. as I believe it is, the ian
guage Of such an amendment should
be broad enough to give the State
adequate power TO cary out the
storage reservoir plan. This would
need to include the Right Of Eminent
Domain. and should there be a water
power in the territory to be con-
| demned, 1t void be necessary for
the State to have the power to take
! H.; otherwise, the entire storage
reservoir system might be blocked. 7
realize that this suggestion may
arouse opposition. but a small water
! power owner should not be allowed
| TO stand in the way Of the States
Storage Reservoir System. and the
| State cannot allow it's plans to be
| subject to the within Of an individual.
! The Amendment can be drawn to de-
/ fine just how far the State may go.
| Il also might be advisable to have
| the language Of the Amendment suffi-
| GENTLY broad to allow the State to
develop such power, IL any. as can
be proftably developed at the stor-
/ age dam, but not elsewhere. l should
| not advocate the States distributing
| the power thus developed, but it
| could be sold on favorable terms TO
some Public Utility company. This
| would seem to be a necessary, other
| wise, there might be waste Of val
liable energy. This, however, is rot
! vital. I ask only to do what other
states. such as Massachusetts and
! New York, are doing, and believe
that Maine, with its great power re-
sources should lead and not follow
| in this forward movement.
| If q Constitutional Amendment can
be framed so az TO cover the sug-
! gestlons herein outlined, ] should give
it my cordial approval. II such
a Constitutional Amendment should
be passed. it might also serve very
1 definite purpose in connection with
/! the Federal Water Power Law, es-
peciaily II some actual work was done
| by the State under the Amendment.
| II a clause should be added 10 the
Amendment prohibiting tho shipment
~ power outside the State, it would
meet with general approval and would
strengthen the States position If the
proposed Federal supcr-pOWcr limo
should ever threaten what seems to
DE Names fixed policy Of non-trans-
mission beyond the confines Of the
state. Under the Federal Water
Power Act. states and municipalities
arc accorded certain prior rights, and
it may be that a Constitutional
+, Amendment such as propose will
prove 10 he the only hulwark we have
against Federal interference.
Certain representatives. Of the wa
ter power interests for their own
! benefit seek to create confusion and
misunderstanding and as you say in
! your letter to Congressman White, +.
as Governor am suspicious Of the paid
| representatives OF water power inter-
csts. These men as rule have
/ proven themselves selfish and arro-
CANT and have no regard for the rights
Of the public.
! believe that as time goes on. the
/ tendency will be for the people 10
| take an ever increasing interest IN
! the natural resources Of the State
ana Nation. I believe that before
many years. those who have hero to-
fore stood in the way Of such q move
mont viii be forced 70 yield. This
movement il now in evidence and if
gradually and properly carried out
/ appears TO be desirable IF private
/ property is taken 1t must always be
Fpaid for at fair and honest price.
/ and | am confident that tho state Of
! Maine will never countcnance any
fling that even savors Of cnnAscation.
! While I am Governor there need be
tno apprehension On this phase Of the
/ question.
| I was glad Of tho opportunity to
talk with you in Brunswick last
month, and should YOU come TO Maine
would be pleased to see Won. I have
! confidence in yOur friendship ana in
YOUR desire 10 do what IS best for Tho
| state ST Maine. ana At all times am