Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-18

(water flowing over dam, or horse
power devsloped1 is to bring into ex-
istence the greatest possible Injustice
in the matter of taxation. In Maine
there are about 100000 developed
water horsepower, the fair value of
which is not less than 500 per horse
power and in some developments its
value is even larger. There is also
Loco. 900 horsepower undeyeloped in
the State. These great values should
become = source Of revenue to the
State. II the Legislature adopts this
amendment and If the people later
ratify it. the Legislature of 1928 win
be in position to pass some reaspn-
able tax laws under which these val
liable rights win share in the burdens
Of taxation.
Professor George r. Swain Of the
Harvard Engineering School. a water
power expert. in q lecture delivered
in the Maine House of Representa-
lives on March. 10 1891. stated that
every developed horse paEG In
Maine can do the work Of at least
five tons Of coal. He stated that this
means a saving OF at. Least $50 per
horse power per year on coal basis
If each horse power will save $50 per
year in coal, it Is easy. to compute
what the annual saving to the people
of Maine would be II our water re-
sources were fully developed and
gives an idea of the value Of Names
water power. With the ever increas-
ing demands for appropriations now
made upon our Legislature some new
sources Of revenue must be obtained,
also the burden of taxation can no
longer be borne by our citizens.
It was my intention 10 submit this
amendment to you at an earlier date
but circumstances over which I had
no control prevented my doing so.
This Legislature in nay opinion will
act wisely IL 1t passes this con-
structive legislation. fer under Z the
hrst paragraph of the amendment the
people can derive direct benefit from
the development of storage reser-
voirs and water powers if they later
determine by proper legislation that
they desire to do So and under the
second some relief from the crushing
burden of taxation can be obtained
without injustice being done to those
who will be called upon to pay.
Water Power Constitutional Amend
ment
1.-THE conservation, storage, control
and use of waters, and the develop
ment, Improvement, transmission,
utilization, electrical interconnection.
control and sale of water powers, by
the State of Maine, either directly or
fhJ-nr rerll Il sct, iof
tricts, as the Legislature may au-
thoriZe and not otherwise are de-
clared to constitute paramount pub
lie uses, for the accomplishment of
which the right of eminent domain
may he exercised, and in furtherance
Of which the right of taxation may be
employed; and the Legislature may
also provide therefor and for the ap-
portionment to, and assessment upon.
the lands and property which shall,
or may be, benefited thereby, and ac-
cording to the extent Of such hene-
fits, the whole or any part of the cost
of such conservation, storage, de-
yelopment, improvement, transmits
sion, control, electrical interconnec.
ton, and utilization OF said waters
anu water powers, INcluultS the COSt
of maintenance and operation there
or"
For the purposes of taxation water
powers and water privileges within
the state, and hydro electric energy
generated therefroni, may be treated
by the Legislature as property dis
tinct from the land or structure to
which they may be appurtenant, or
from which they gay be derived, and
such powers, privileges and energy
may be assessed for taxation in such
manner as the Legislature may de-
termine, at rates differing from the
rate imposed upon real and personal
property within the State and such
powers and privileges may be CLASH
fed as developed. partially developed,
and undeveloped, and different rate
of taxation may be imposed upon
each class; provided, however, that
all such taxes shall be apportioned
and assessed equally at uniform rates
of taxation throughout the State
upon the same class of property"
Respectfully submitted,
PERCIVAL p. BANTER,
Governor of Maine.