Oxford Democrat., 1921-11-15
Letter from Governor Perclvai p.
Baxter to Congressman John A.
Peters, July 18th, 1921.
Office OF the Governor, State OF
Maine,
Augusta, Juty 28th, 1921.

Augusta, Juty Iotn, l9ll.
Dear Congressman Peters,
In my opinion the State should
make a beginning In the develop
ment of Storage Reservoirs on busi-
ness basis and thus derive an income
from them by selling or leasing the
stored water to the owners OF the
Water Powers ON the rivers below
the reservoirs. This is as far as be-
lieve the State should go at the pres
ent time. The owners Of water pow
ers on the rivers are Of course en-
titled to the natural flow OF the river,
and would be charged only for the
increased fow occasioned by the con-
struction Of the reservoirs. What the
future may have. in store In Water
Power Development Is not for US to
determine, for those who follow us
can either enlarge the States under
takings or restrict them
I should feel we'll satisfied with my
work Il could see storage reser-
voir system tried out in some suit
able location, which doubtless would
prove Of direct benefit to the Water
Power owners, who ought to be will
ing to pay a fair price for the bene-
fits received.
am not advocating the States
taking over the developed Water
Powers or of developing those that
are now undeveloped. The future will
determine whether or not this Is ad-
visable.
II Constitutional Amendment Is
necessary, as I believe It is, the Ian
guage of such an amendment should
be broad enough to give the State
adequate power to carry out the stor-
age reservoir plan. This would need
to include the Right Of Eminent Do
main, and should there be a water
power in the territory to be con-
demned, 1t would be necessary for the
State to have the power to take 1t;
otherwise, the entire storage reser-
voir system might be blocked. I re-
alize that this suggestion may arouse
opposition, but small water power
owner should not be allowed to stand
in the way of the States Storage Res
erwoir System, and the State cannot
allow its plans to be subject to the
whim of an individual. The Amend
ment can be drawn to define just
how far the State may go.
It also might be advisable to have
the language Of the Amendment suffi-
ciently broad to allow the State to
develop such power, II any, as can
be profltably developed at the storage
dam, but not elsewhere. l should not
advocate the States distributing the
power thus developed, but 1t could
be sold on favorable terms to some
Public Utility Company. This would
seem to be necessary, otherwise there
might be a waste of valuable energy.
THIS, however, is not vital. / ask only
to do what other states, soch as Mas
sachnsetts and New Yor1, arg DONG,
and believe that Maine, with fts great
power resources should lead and not
follow In this forward movement
If Constitutional Amendment oan
be framed 80 as to cover the sng-
gestions herein outlined, I ISh0zsd give
4 my cordial spproVai. Il snch
a Constitutional Amendment should
be passed, It might also eerve q very
definite purpose in connection with
the Federal Water Power Law, es-
peciaIly Il como actual voEk was doau
by the State under the Amendment
Il 4 clause ahouh be added b the
Amendment prohitdting the shipment
Of power outside the 6tata, y wound
meet with general approval and would
strengthen the States position H the
proposed Federal super r0o~@ Hns
should ever threaten what seems TO
be Main6s A1ed policy Of noo-tsans-
mission beyond the cooAnas q tn6
State. UAder the Federal Water
Power Act States and Municipalities
ara accorded certain PRIOR raGtfs, and
Il may be that q ConeftEtional
Amendment such as ! propose VIII
provo to bo the only b1fwark ve hATo
AGAINST Federal interference.
Certain representatives oe the wa
ter power interests fnr their own
beneat seek TO create confusion and
mtsund and as you say IN
your letter TO Congressman White, !,
as Governor am suspicious Of the paid
REPRESENTATIVES Of water power inter-
ests. These men as q rule have
proven themselves selfish and AFRO
CANT and have no regard Tor the rights
Of the pubic.
/ believe that @ time goes on, the
tandanY n - fr IN neQDle 70