The Republican journal., 1921-01-13

Maine railroads received from the
GoVernme nt crippled roads operating
under fixed charges that equalled and
In some instances exceeded revenues
and are today without power to re-
duce their fixed charges or increase
their revenue.
Although the electric railroads of
Maine were not under government
control they have suffered indirectly.
1t is our duty to investigate carefully
the conditions surrounding the opera
ton of railroads in Maine, and to
provide such relief as the existing
circumstances demand It Is vital to
the development of our State that the
present transportation facilities be
made more effective and that they be
SO Increased that we may have in
Maine our adequate share of this
I controlling factor in modern CONNER
cial life.
Agriculture and Roads
portat'o on, particularly Of the bulky
agricultural products, and of pleasure
travel into and throughout the State,
good roads are an absolute necessity.
Measuring present TO ! :o1Git ons by
those which obta ned fourteen years
ago, when the first constructive good
roads legislation was adopted, great
advancement has been made in con-
struction, and vastly increased mile
age of good roads provided. The de-
velopment of the system of good
roads already initiated will very
greatly stimulate the future growth
of Maine. We should observe liberal
attitude toward new road construc
ton make adequate provisions for the
upheep of the roads that have been
constructed, enact laws regulating and
controlling the operation of moter We
hicles, and make due provision for the
enforcement of such laws
Our agricultural, manufacturing,
and business interests are suffering
| keenly from shrinking values and I'M
depression growing out of after-war
| conditions, and we face serious prob
| lens of reconstruction and the obliga-
! ton OF seeking a safe and sane level
| upon which We may rebuild industry,
and give profitable employment to la
! Dor and fair return to invested capital.
i Modern industry is more and more
dependent upon skilled operators.
| This need in agriculture is now be-
i ing served by the State Agricultural
| Department and through the various
| bureaus at the University of Maine
and to afford additional aid to those
who are occupied in agricultural pur-
suits l trust you will study the condi
tons of farm life, production, trans
portation, marketing, and enact legis-
lation which may seem to you helpful
to the farmer. In manufacturing, the
supply of skilled operators should be
/ met by the establishment, on broad
lines, of technical, vocational school,
where thorough practical training
could be given and an intimate study
made of the problems involved in the
conduct of industries now located in,
or suitable for, establishment in
Maine
Our fisheries give employment to
many thousands of persons. The re-
sulting product totals many millions
Of dollars. Our tidal coastline, which
is nearly as great in mileage as the
combined tidal coastline of all the
other Atlantic states, is the natural
base from which to develop the fish
ing industry. In order to take full
advantage of these natural opportun
| tiles a school of fisheries should be
! established. Such school now exists
in Seattle, at the State University Of
| Washington, where courses are given
in the canning and curing of fish, in
the study of the habits and diseases
of fish, in the protection and propaga
ton of fish life, in navigation, in the
operation of gas engines, and in other
| related subjects. | urge careful in
quiry into the advantage to be gained
from the location of such a school in
Maine
Improve Labor Standards
Continued effort should be made to
improve the standards of labor con-
ditions in Maine and to better factory
conditions. l recommend the enact
ment of forty eight hour law for
women and for minors under sixteen,
and the amendment of the Workmen's
Compensation Act so as to increase
the weekly allowance and to reduce
the period of non payment.
| By sound principles Of public policy,
reinforced by party pledge, we are
| committed to the establishment of
State park and forest reserve, to the
conservation Of our forests, to a pro-
gram of reforestation of cut-over and
burned land, and to the development
| of waterpower resources within the
| State.
The successful economic develop
ment Of hydro-electric power is in