Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-01-11

i
This need in agriculture is now be.
ing served by the State Agriculture
| Department and through the various
bureaus at the University Of Maine
and to afford additional aid to those
who are occupied in agricultural pur.
suits trust you will study the condi.
tions Of farm life, production, trans.
portation, marketing, and enact legis.
lation which may seem to you helpful
to the farmer. In manufacturing, the
supply of skilled operators should be
met by the establishment, on broad
lines, of a technical, vocational school
where thorough practical training
could be given and an intimate study
made of the problems involved in the
conduct of industries now located in
or suitable for, establishment In
Maine.
Our fisheries give employment tG
many thousands OF persons. The re-
sulting product totals many millions
Of dollars. Our tidal coastline. which
Is nearly as great In mileage as the
combined tidal coastline Of all the
other Atlantic states, is the natural
base from which to develop the fish
ing industry. In order to take full
advantage Of these natural opportun-
tides a school of fisheries should be
established. Such a school now exists
| in Seattle. at the State University Of
Washington, where courses are given
In the canning and curing of fish. In
the study Of the habits and diseases
Of fish, In the protection and propaga-
ton Of fish life. In navigation, In the
operation of gas engines, and in other
related subjects. / urge careful in
quiry into the advantage to be gained
from the location of such school In
Maine.
improve Labor Standards
Continued effort should be made to
improve the standards OF labor con-
dttions in Maine and to better factory
conditions. / recommend the enact
ment of q forty-eight hour law for
women and for minors under sixteen
and the amendment Of the Workmen's
Compensation Act so as to increase
the weekly allowance and to reduce
the period Of on-payment.
By sound principles Of public policy
reinforced by party pledge, We are
committed to the establishment Of a
State park and forest reserve. to the
conservation of our forests. to pro-
gram Of reforestation Of cut-over and
burned land, and to the development
of waterpower resources within the
State.
The successful economic develop
ment Of hydro-electric power is in
q great degree controlled by the regu-
larity Of water flow. The creation,
under State control. Of storage reser-
voirs at the headwaters Of our rivers
Is q 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
Matne's waterpowers.
The continued flow Of water in our
streams and rivers depends upon the
existence of our forests- Fire Is at
an times a grave menace. The pro-
lection provided by the Maine Forest
~ District Act should be continued
and extended, and increased protec-
ton given to the lesser forest areas
In the incorporated towns now out
side the forestry district.
Our School System
The continued development and I'm
provement of our common school sys-
tenn Is of vital Importance; educa-
tional problems should be met in q
broad and comprehensive spirit, Sor
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. A liberal policy should be adopt
ed toward all instttutipus6 learning
Shifting Burdens from Town to State
During the past Twenty-Five years
giving effect to the policy adopted by
earlier legislatures, Maine has as
sumed an increasing portion OF the
burden incident 10 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 1t from the In
dividual or the town. to the State
where It can be more economically
handled and where expert professional
treatment provides an opportunity fol
cure. Our penal and charitable insti-
tutions, and the State aid given te
dependent mothers and to neglected
and dependent children, should be
administered with the avowed pur'
pose Of bringing these unfortunates
to a physical and mental condition
that will equip them for useful life
and these measures relieving suher-
ing should be extended as far as the
resources of the State win allow.
/ urge careful study Of all related
problems and suitable appropriations
for continuing and increasing this
policy Of State aid.
MaIne's Patriotic Response
The record of Names patriotic re-
sponse to the call for service In the
World War illumines one OF the
brightest pages in the history OF ou
State. In the spring Of 1917 wher
the regular army, but little greater In
number than the police force o.
metropolitan New York, needed volun'
tary enlistments. a call was issued fol
10000 men, and existing National
Guard units were inducted into Fed
eral service. In Maine enlistments
were greater in proportion to popuia'
ton than In any other state dn the
Union, excepting only Oregon. tt
every call for contribution. whether
for the Red Cross, Salvation Army
Y. NJ. c. A., K. Of c., or for subscrtp'
tions to the Liberty Loan, Maine wen'
over the top. The quality OF service
given by the SONS and daughters oI