Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-29
Tuesday, March %, 1921.
NO DEMAND FOR IT

Whatever may be our opinions re-
specting the relations that should ex-
isl between the state government and
our water powers, one conslusion
seems to be inevitable: the people OF
Maine are not asking this Legislature
20 throw open the doors to state own
ership and management of those
powers. That fact was clearly dem
onstrated at the recent hearing.
Thrusting such a question on the
public at this time cannot be ex-
cused on the ground of responding to
public sentiment, because such SEN
tirnent is not manifest, Motive for
doing so, accordingly, must be found
elsewhere. Where?
These water powers were not stolen
from the public. The present owners
Of them came into their possession
under the laws of the state and are
protected by those laws. So the mo-
sidered as trying to restore or permit
ting the people to restore stolen
property because none has been stol-
en-
If it be said development of those
powers is what is sought, then it is
proper to ask what advantage may be
expected from what is known as the
Baxter proposition. There are those
who promise much for the future
from such a venture state ownership
and management-state socialism in
other words Never yet was such
proposition made that was not ac-
companied by bountiful promises.
Russia today is infested with prom
ises, as a dog with fieas, and might
well prefer the fleas. Surely some
thing besides promises are required
to warrant such a radical change as
"a time when conditions all over the
world demand conservatism. More
over this much is self evident, those
who have invested in our water pow
ers will strive to make them prOfita-
BILE; they have every incentive to de-
velop those powers to meet demands
and to make ready for prospective
demands. Judging by experience this
could not be expected under state or
federal ownership. But if it could, if
experience had shown, as it has not,
that government ownership is capable
OF the enterprise, the initiative and
the progress which inheres is sue
ccssful private ownership, it even
then would be apparent that during
the period required for change. dur
ing the years when the transition was
taking place, private development
would cease, new enterprises would
not be undertaken, with the result
that for several years when progress
is so desired it would not be possible.
What the people of Maine want is
development of her resources and
equitable disposition of them. The
public will not tolerate overlordship
by any private interest or combina-
ton of private interests. They are
determined on safeguards and will
have and apply them as needed. But
BECAUSE of that resolve they are not
obsessed with the idea that it is nee
essary for the state of Maine to buy
up all the water powers in order to
secure equity, any more than it is
necessary to buy up all the arabic
land to protect against possible ex-
tortion by farmers or buy up all the
forests TO protect against the high
price of lumber.
Those who vote to refer this mat
ter in it's present form to the people
need expect no thanks from the pub
lie. And those of them who may do
this to cvade responsibility, in other
words, to pass the buck" may be
assured their motives will be recog-
mixed for what they are.