The Republican journal., 1921-01-13

larity of water flow. The creation.
under State control, of storage reser-
voirs at the headwaters of our rivers
is a necessity. A careful inquiry
should be made into all related ques-
tons, and a study made of the effect
of the Federal Waterpower Act upon
the development and control of
Names waterpowers.
The continued flow of water in our
streams and rivers depends upon the
existence of our forests. Fire is at
all times a grave menace The pro-
lection provided by the Maine Forest
ry District Act should be continued
and extended, and increased protec-
tlon given to the lesser forest areas
III the incorporated towns now out
side the forestry district.
Our School System
The continued development and i'm
provement of our common school sys-
TEN is of vital Importance; educa-
tlonal problems should be met in a
broad and comprehensive spirit, for
the common school system has been
controlling factor in the develop
ment of New England character, as
New England character has been an
influencing factor throughout the Ma
ton. liberal policy should be adopt-
ed toward all institute nsof learning.
Shifting Burdens from Town to State
During the past twenty-five wears,
giving effect to the policy adopted by
earlier legislatures, Maine has as
sumed an increasing portion of the
burden incident to the support, re-
straint and professional care of the
different classes of unfortunates who
are public charges. The continuance
OF this program is sanctioned by
sound public policy, because the TAX
ing over of this obligation by the
State does not necessarily increase
the burden, but shifts it from the in
dividual or the town, to the State,
where 1t can be more economically
handled and where expert professional
treatment provides an opportunity for
cure. Our penal and charitable insti-
buttons, and the State aid given to
dependent mothers and to neglected
and dependent children, should be
administered with the avowed pur-
pose Of bringing these unfortunates
to physical and mental condition
that will e0uie them for a useful life.
and these measures relieving suffer
ing should be extended as far as the
resources of the State will allow.
urge careful study of all related
problems and suitable appropriations
for continuing and increasing this
policy of State aid
Names Patriotic Response
The record of Names patriotic re-
Spouse to the call for service in the
World War illumines one of the
brightest pages in the history of our
State. In the spring of 1917 when
the regular army, but little greater in
number than the police force of
metropolitan New York, needed volun-
tary enlistments, call was issued for
10000 men, and existing National
Guard units were indicted into Fed
eral service. In Maine enlistments
were greater in proportion to popula
ton than in any other state in the
Union, excepting only Oregon. To
every call for contribution, whether
for the Red Cross, Salvation Army,
Y. M. G. A., K. of c., or for subscrip
tons to the Liberty Loan, Maine went
over the top The quality of service
given by the sons and daughters of
Maine on the battlefelds of Europe
make a glorious page in the States
record. Wherever stationed the men
and women of Maine were ever in the
front ranks and always completely
responsive to the call of duty. Recog-
milton has already been made by legis-
lative action. We should at every OPP
portunity render full justice to all who
were in service, doing this as volun-
tary recognition of sacrifice made in
behalf of our country. A movement
has been started for placing monu-
ments in the different battle areas of
Europe, where bodies of Maine troops
were engaged. A suggestion has been
made that the New England states,
whose levies made up the splendid
Yankee Division, should join in erect
ing these monuments. l urge you to
act in these matters, cooperating
fully with the other New England
states and with the Federal Govern
ment.
Salary Adjustments
The State is entitled to have, and
should require, full efficiency in ser
vice from every employee, and in
return for that service, should pay a
salary fairly commensurate with the
responsibility of the employment, so
that men and women of adequate
ability to perform the duties of the
positions may be secured. Measured
by this standard the sum paid by the
State to its employees is in many in
stances inadequate, and l urge care
full inquiry to the end that this in
justice may be corrected by a re-
adjustment of salaries.
The utmost care should be exercised
in all expenditures for governmental
purposes, and every detail of service
should be made to function with the
same efficiency that characterizes the
well managed private business, and
in this connection | recommend to you
a reorganization and consolidation of
tho variOuc administrative and aynau-