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

certainly consult with the manutac-
turers of Maine and their agents.
who are high class and intelligent
men and are specialists in their own
business, but even i'm that case
should feel perfectly free also to con-
suit with the Governor of the State
especially a Governor who has made
particular study of the case and
who, 50 far as I can see, is actuated
by disinterested motives. having IN
mind only the public welfare
/ notice with some surprise that
you suggest that J should make o
public statement of the reason for 4
meeting which occurred in Portland
not long siEcs at which the Govern
or and some others were present, in
Guiding myself.
There was nothing at all secret
about the meeting and am quite
willing to give the reason for the
gathering. so far as there was any,
especially as it was entirely at NJ
suggestion that 1t took place and if
there is any odium attached to
meeting with the Governor and talk
ing over these questions interesting
the State, ] should be glad to have
the odium attached exclusively 70
myself where il belongs.
The following is the reason for tie
gathering" last Commencement a.
Bowdoin I met the governor aecidcn-
tally and happened to touch upon
this water power business. I told
= =
financial judgment as displayed last
winter during the legislative session
but that 1 was bitterly opposed TO
the condemnation, development OF use
by the state of the water powers
whether developed or undeveloped
much CT the same opinion. He dill
not tell nc that he was opposing tia,
but he told me that he had not and
did not favor that and only favored
the project Of developing the storaga
reservoirs. | told him that I was
mighty glad to hear that as I hal
heard some people intimate that he
was in favor and was advocating tho
States taking over the water powers
hut as ne was not / thought 1t
should be known more publicly. we
did not have time to talk out the
matter and l told him that would
try 10 see him again at Augusta
When I was at home during the con-
Gressioral recess l tried several
times to get the Governor at Angus
IA by telephone. one evening tho
telephone people connected me with
him at Portland by mistake and /
talked and the governor suggested
at any time We could meet there 7
told him that | had talked over this
matter of the water power situation
with Senator Hale. Repre- sentative
White and Mr.. F.. W. Wheeler of
brunswick. Ii 50 happened that I
had NOT talked it over with any of
the rest Of the delegation from
Maine. As I knew these gentlemen
were much interested I suggested to
the Governor that they come down
too. He said that would he fine and
10 como and lunch with him at the
Cumberland club. We did this ana
might state, as another reason for
the gathering which | look upon now
with great pleasure, is the fact that
In gave Us mighty good Luncheon.
We talked miscellancdusly about
matters Of general interest and 7,
myself, brought up the water power
matter and We exchanged views.
50 far as I could sec. no one pres
ant, including the Governor, favored
any authority hy the State to con-
denim. operate or use water powers.
developed Or undovcloped, except
possibly a { the dam as the mcrest
incident to the storage reservoir and
that was not vital and ] doubt if the
Governor would insist on il. / am
sure he would not unless it was seen
to be q good business proposition
without detrmcnt To anybody.
I hope that nobody will think that
the meeting was in the interest of
any body's candidacy for Office. There
was not the slightest approach to
SUCH an idea. It was even suggested.
holicvG. that several of Us might
nc la'tf fNnniG% tor the same oftlcn.
It il apparent from the above frat
there was no attempt made 10
frame up anything detrimental to
anybody, Five or six citizens of
Maine, some Of whom held office ana
some didn't, all ! believe greatly
interested in its welfare. got to-
Eether without any Interior purpose
TO talk with the Governor about his
water power program. I was not re-
sponsihlc for what appeared in the
papers and knew nothing about if. !
So far as I myself am concerned
an infrequcntIy Jared by headlines
in newspapers.
II You will permit me 4 suggestion, /
ma l see that YOU represent some
important industries in the state,
.hink 1t would be Very much hotter
{ we could have more meetings.