Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-25
MERITS UNSPARING CONSIDER
ALTON

ALTON
The belief that q cause worthy or
attention is entitled to fair and
proper hearing is ingrained in the
American people, the people OF Maine
surely no less than others. And here
it seems pertinent to ask whether
the undoubtedly precarious situation
of transportation facilities in this
State is not worthy of such hearing
in our Legislature. And If so has
such hearing been allowed?
With regard to the importance of
this subject one needs but consider
how closely 1t is interviewer with the
prosperity Of our people. The prop
erty involved is largely owned by
them, is held by our banks as we'll as
by private individuals and so is in
yolved in our financial credit. The
work that is done on our railroads is
done by Maine people, many of whom
own their homes here. in other words
have their stake" in the welfare of
Maine. The freight that is carried is
The life blood of Names business.
But why go on? The subject of
transportation is worthy Of unspar
ing consideration.
Has it had this at the hands of
the S0th Legislature? An answer
may be found in a brief review Of
the record. The first proposition for
relief was to base the railroad tax
for the years 1921, and 8 on the
1917 tax. This the committee on
taxation thought the State could not
afford to allow, reported ought not
10 pass and let it go at that, no sug-
scstion for other relief being made.
Left in this predicament the roads
asked for authority to charge higher
rates The Governor appointed a
committee of representative men to
hear the evidence. A public hearing
was held at the State House last
week. The evidence of need of re-
liCl Oh tHC pa VI tHC fodoo "dS
overwhelming. 1t was also made
clear that it should come from sew
eral sources in order to be effective,
and strong arguments were made
that one Of those sources is relief in
the matter of taxation.
In view of this evidence it was
argued by proponents that if the
State could not afford to go back to
The basis Of the 1917 tax it could and
should fix a rate on some other basis
of relief. The Governors Commit
tee drew a bill to this effect and ask
cd to have it introduced in the House
and referred to a committee, so that
a hearing could be had on the meas
ure, in new draft or otherwise and
further consideration be given this
important matter. The bill was in
troduced and referred to the Commit
tee on Taxation, but the following
day the vote was reconsidered, the
bill was tabled. but shortly after was
taken from the table and indefinitely
postponed, thus leaving the matter
of relief by the roadside
This is a Maine Legislature. 1t is
also a Republican Legislature. The
bill now before 1t is new
proposition. No hearing has yet
been had on it before auy COM
mittee of the Legislature, nor has
there been opportunity in debate to
discuss it. Those acquainted with
the personnel of this Legislature will
not believe that 1t seeks to shirk its
duties, that it is willing for its own
convenience in closing the session, to
refuse consideration Of those things
which it was elected to consider;
for. while the needs of the railroads
have been heard and considered in
committee. the arguments for the re-
hef proposed in the new bill have
not been heard and the legislative
bodies have not had the opportunity
10 give 1t the attention it seems to
merit.
This condition is perhaps what one
might naturally expect under the
circumstances. 1t is said the rail-
roads have not put a lobby at work
ON this, and that in some degree the
matter has been allowed to go by
'default. But are we aware how
vitality the public is concerned in
this? Do we sufficiently apprehend
the effect of any failure of Names
transportation facilities? Do we want
1T said that the Maine Legislature
has denied respectable proposition
hearing?
Now Chicago forbids the sale Of
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