Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-03-16

closes and estimated total of 1900
feeble minded persons who some
time should be confined in State in
stitutions. This survey not being
based on actual personal examination
Of these unfortunAtes. may show
more numbers than are actually ell
gible for confinement From this
total Of 1900, 1856 now can be cared
for at Pownal, 200 are now cared for
in other institutions, and if the State
builds one new double dormitory for
$50 inmates, 735 feeble minded per-
sons will then be under State care.
A double dormitory will cost $780,
900, the boiler house and laundry will
cost $4,000 more, and il $4,000 is
appropriated for increased dining
room capacity a total appropriation
of $25o,00O will be needed. During
the neXt two years an accurate ex-
animation can be made to determine
! just how many feeble minded per-
! sons should be placed under State
care and after that is done the Leg
islature of 1923 will know whether or
not it is desirable to proceed with
the construction of additional dormi
tories. | am aware of the necessity
of providing for these defective
wards of the State, but doubt the wis
dom of making such immediate and
| extensive engagements as are recon-
mended in the Budget. If this sug-
gestion is adopted you will have In
creased the capacity of this inst-
tuition 1870 which is all that could
reasonably be expected of you at one
| session, If provision is made for the
confinement of 1876 feeble minded
persons out of a possible maximum
! of 1900, a step in advance will have
been taken and we shall not have
| ent resources.
The building of a Superintendent
cottage at the Central Maine SAM
forum can be dispensed with and the
recommended expenditure of 100000
at the State Reformatory for Men,
being based upon a lump sum esti-
mate, if reduced to $4,000 will be
ample for new construction at that
institution.
|
for Women it is suggested that $685.
900 be appropriated for new build
ings; $4,000 being for the construc-
ton of an iron fence, and $4,000 for
new cottage. For the present
would eliminate these items, and also
would not advise the construction Of
new school house costing SIS, 900
at the State School for Boys
The building of a dormitory for
women at the University OF Maine, to
cost $4,000 Is not of vital import
ance and it is desirable that the Uni
versity straighten out its financial af-
fairs before additional buildings are
erected there by the State.
BY accepting these recommendations
you will save on these Special Appro-
priations $54O,000.
! Salaries. The question of increased
salaries is for you to determine after
due consideration. The salaries paid
by the State of Maine are modest,
and those of certain State officials
and heads of departments are not
adequate for the services rendered.
The successful administration of the
States affairs depends largely upon
the conscientious work of these faith
full men, and the State after training
them in the public service can i'll
afford to lose them. Funds are not
available for a general increase Of
salaries but some attempt to equal
ize them should be undertaken. The
total annual amount required to do
this would not be large and l recon-
mend this problem to you for your
thoughtful discussion. AS this ques-
present status is somewhat involved,
I have refrained from suggesting
changes in the Budget items.
Mount katahdin Park. In my In
augural Address of February 9th,
advocated the establishment of the
Mount Katahdin State Park, and
when a member Of the Senate intro
duced bill calling for AN appropria-
ton of 100000 for that purpose.
This park in my opinion will prove
of inestimable benefit to the State Of
Maine, it will prove wise invest
ment and will be more than self-sus-
tanning. The financial condition of
the State at the present time, how
ever, will not warrant the expendi-
ture of this sum of money, which,
however. would mean an increase of
but 1/13 of a mill in the State tax.
If l ask you gentlemen to sacrifice
some of the projects you consider OF
Importance to the State l should be
prepared to do likewise. I propose
plan whereby at this session you can
establish the principal of this park
without increasing the Budget recon-
mendationS.
The Budget calls for an appropria-
ton for cruising wild lands which
will Immediately produce substan-
tial increase in the States revenue.
One-half of this increased revenue
cam be used for the purchase of park
land and there will be no increase in