Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-05
GOV. PERCIvAL P. BAXTER
SUBMITS WATER POWER 4
TAXATION AMENDMENTS
TO MAINE LEGISLATURE

| TAXATION AMENDMENTS
TO MAINE LEGISLATURE
Augusta, March % 1SpeciaD "a
special message proposing a constitu
tional amendment, was sent to the
legislature by Governor Baxter. The
proposed amendment gives the State
authority to take over, control and
develop water-storage basins and
water powers.
The message follows:
| March II, 1921.
| To the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives of the Eightieth Legis-
lature:-
In 1919 1 drafted and introduced
the Act which became Chapter 132 OF
the Laws of 1919 and which is en-
titled "An Act to Create the Maine
Water Power Commission" Under
the provisions of this law, Sections
4 and 5, the Commission is instructed
thoroly to investigate the Water
Power resources within the State OF
Maine, and report upon what
rights remain to the State In the
storage reservoirs and basins, and IN
the developed and undeveloped water
powers within the State" Sections
| z and s of this law provide that Aif
the Commission Is OF the opinion that
the State itself should acquire and
develop these storage reservoirs and
basins and undeveloped water pow
ers, the Commission shall report
plan for the same, and shall pre-
sent a comprehensive and practicable
plan whereby the State may be con-
served, used and developed for the
benefit of the people of Maine"
At the same session Of the Log
islature l drafted and introduced
House Order dated February 9th,
1919, which propounded certain wa
ter power questions to the Justices
of the Supreme Judicial court, and
the Justices in their answers to these
questions gave their opinion that an
amendment to the State Constitution
was necessary If the State is to de-
velop the storage reservoirs and un-
developed water powers within the
State.
The Water Power Commission In
its first annual report says: 1T has
seemed impracticable, If not legally
impossible, for the Commission to
work out a satisfactory plan for
State control of storage reservoirs
unless by some proper amendment
to the Constitution, and ut Is our
intention to submit this plan (River
Regulating Districts) to the Legdsla-
ture should the necessary Constitu-
tional amendment be presented. ="
The Commission also says that: 1.-THE
interests of the State are greater
than those Of any person, or corpor-
alton, within It,"
From this 1t will be seen that the
Commission has prepared q definite
plan Cor submission to the Legisla-
ture, and in letter addressed to
me, under date Of March II, 1921,
the Commission writes: I'VE believe
that the Constitution Of Maine
should be amended in regard to res
ervoirs and water powers.
I have prepared and herewith sub
NIT a constitutional amendment for
your consideration.
This amendment will give the peo-
pie of Maine the opportunity. to de-
eide for themselves whether or not
the State shall have the power to
control and develop water storage
basins, and undeveloped water pow
ers. If the State today were to
adopt a new constitution the people
would doubtless reserve to them
selves the right to control and de-
yelop water powers and storage res
ervoirs, the possibilities Of which
were unknown in 1920 when our
present Constitution was adopted.
The people should be allowed to vote
upon this question after ample op-
portunity has been given for thoro
discussion so that intelligent action
may be taken.
This amendment has incorporated
in it only those features which seem
to me to be needed as the basis for
future constructive legislation. It
is generally accepted that conserve
ton" Of our water resources Is nee
essary in order to stop the present
economic waste Of the states water
resources, and the only question In
volved is by whom, how and when
this conservation is to be done.
The storage and control Of waters
Is the foundation ot conservation
and the next step is their develop
ment and Improvement. Should the
State take these preliminary steps
It must have the power to use and
sell its developed and improved wa
ter resources, and in addition there
to it should have the right to con-
meet the various electrical systems
turnout the state, so that surplus
of power In one section can be used
In another where there Is a scarcity.
The amendment submitted here
with in my opinion fulfill present
day requirements. The grave respon-
sibility of submitting to the people
of the State comprehensive water
power constitutional amendment
rests both upon the Legislature and
upon myself and should such an
amendment fail to meet the needs
of the situation we both would be
remise in our duty to those who sent
us here.
The opponents Of any and all forms
of state control and development will
attack the constitationaltty Of ali
legislation based on whatever amend
| ment is submitted to the people, and
for this reason there should be no
doubt about It's meaning and pur
poses, else the work Of the past four
years will be come of no avail. A
constitutional amendment must stand
every test to which able attorneys
will subject Il.
| l am Of the opinion that unde
| this amendment the people Of tht