The Republican journal., 1921-11-17

Portland by mistake and / talked ans
the Governor suggested that if l was
going to be in Portland at any time
we could meet there. l told him that
l had talked over this matter of the
water power situation with Senator
Hale, Representative White and Mr.
E. W. Wheeler of Brunswick It so
happened that I had not talked it
over with any of the rest of the dele
cation from Maine ASH knew these
gentlemen were much interested |
suggested to the Governor that they
come down too He said that would
be fine and to come and lunch with
him at the Cumberland Club. We
did this and l might state, as an
other reason for the gathering which
l look upon now with great pleasure,
is the fact that he gave us mighty
good luncheon We talked miscel
laneously about matters of general
interest and I, myself, brought up the
water power matter and we ex-
changed views.
So far as l could see, no one pres
ent, including the Governor, favored
any authority by the state to con-
demn, operate or use water powers,
developed Or undeveloped, except pos
sibly at the dam as the merest Incl
dent to the storage reservoir and that
was not vital and doubt if the Gov
ernor would insist on it, l am sure
he would not unless it was seen to
be good business proposition with
out detriment to anybody.
| hope that nobody will think that
the meeting was in the interest of
anybody's candidacy for office. There
was not the slightest approach to
such an idea 1t was even suggested,
believe, that several of us might
be later running for the same office
1t is apparent from the above that
there was no attempt made to frame
up" anything detrimental to anybody.
Five or six citizens of Maine, some
of whom held Office and some didn't,
all | believe greatly interested in it's
welfare. got together without any ul-
terror purpose to talk with the Gov
ernor about his water power program.
| was not responsible for what ap-
peared in the papers and know moth
ing about it. So far as | myself am
concerned l am infrequently Jared
by headlines in newspapers.
If yol will permit me a suggestion.
and l see that you represent some
important industries in the state, I
think it would be very much better
we could have more meetings,
either by small or large groups. and
nave frank talks about the best busi-
ness policies in the state and ap-
proach such matters with open minds,
having in mind only the welfare of
the state.
You are quite right in saying that
my constituents have a right to know
my attitude on this as well as on
other public questions. They always
have known pretty clearly without
concealment on my part and I doubt
very much if many of them believed
that I would advocate state socialism.
even if they had read headlines in
newspaper to that effect.
I have endeavored to make this
frank and full reply as you requested
If there is any other point that you
would like information on. please let
me know. There is nothing in the
world to conceal You are at perfect
liberty to publish this letter or make
any use of it that you want to.
am sending you copy of the letter
of the Governor to me of July 2Sth
in which he, in a measure, outlines
his program. You can make any use
Of this that you want to except pub
lish it in the newspapers and as to
that, if you want to publish it and
will telegraph me, shall be only too
glad to ask the Governor for permis-
sion to do that l should not think
he would have any objection, but
without his consent l would not care
to have it done.
Very truly yours,