Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-01-11
GOV. PARKHURST'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Advocates Hydo. Electric De.
velopment Of Water Powers
Under State Control
REecx.zsDs ABSENTEE VOTING =

Toward New Road Construction
Agricultural, Manufacturing and
Business Interests Suffering From
Shrinking Values.
Gentlemen OF the Senate and OF the
House OF Representatives:
BY solemn oath we have accepted
the responsibility Of performing the
duties imposed upon us by the cleo
torate of Maine.
This obligation Is personal. It's
fulfillment requires from each OF US
earnest, individual effort. Our con-
duct should be actuated by the single
purpose of serving well the State OF
Maine.
Maine. recovering from the stress
and turmoil Of war, faces with conf
dence future pregnant with bright
possibilities that may be made GER
tainties by the united action Of her
patriotic citizens.
Inspired by a consciousness OF the
greatness of their State and devoted
to a common purpose. the people Of
Maine are developing her resources.
The tide of emigration that for
seventy years past has set 50 strong
away from Maine, Is now I believe.
turning toward Maine, and tustifes
the expectation Of a marked increase
in population in the present decade.
Believing in the future of Maine
and prepared to evidence that belief
by faithful service, we may, while
solving the difficult problems incident
to reconstruction, find the open road
to growth and development.
Some Of Our Problems
More than seventy-fve percent Of
the power now used in the United
States is produced from coal; more
than seventy percent Of all coal mined
is used in making power. and coal
furnishes more than third Of the
freight tonnage carried on our rail-
roads. The economic difficulties, ex-
perienced in obtaining and transport
ing coal and of producing from 1t low
cost power constitutes serious han
dicap that is being overcome to a
great degree in Maine by hydro
electric development Of our water
powers. Such development by private
capital under State regulation. should
be encouraged by conservative legis-
lation protecting capital In its in
vestment as to principal and interest,
but always subject to the provision
that power developed must be used
in Maine, for power must be made
available before we can attract manu-
featuring and agricultural growth to
utilize it. The difficulties mentioned
are forcing large users OF power IN
or in transportation to
seek hydro electric power and Names
ability to furnish this power Will
bring many industries into the State
and assure the growth Of existing
industries provided we can guarantee
manufacturing and agricultural In
terests, transportation Of needed raw
materials and of their finished prod
ucts.
Transportation Difficulties
The problem OF railroad operation
resulting from the disruptive manage
ment during federal control are
serious everywhere, but owing to
local conditions, doubly so In Maine
During the period when the owners
of Maine railroads were denied con-
troll of their property the expenses
of operation were increased more than
were the returns from advances in
passenger and freight rates. The
Government controlled. absolutely,
wages, operating costs and earnings.
On the termination Of governmental
control last August the owners Of
Maine railroads received from the
Government crippled roads operating
under fixed charges that equalled and
In some instances exceeded revenues
and are today without power to re-
duce their fixed charges or increase
their revenue.
Although the electric railroads Of
Maine were not under government
control they have suffered indirectly.
II is our duty to investigate carefully
the conditions surrounding the opera
ton of railroads in Maine. and to
provide such relief as the existing
circumstances demand. It Is vital to
the development of our State that the
present transportation facilities be
made more effective and that they be
30 increased that we may have In
Maine our adequate share Of this
controlling factor in modern CONNER
cial life.
Agriculture and Roads
For the service of short haul trans
portation. particularly of the bulky
agricultural products, and OF pleasure
travel into and throughout the State,
good roads are an absolute necessity
Measuring present road conditions by
those which obtained fourteen years
ago, when the first constructive good
roads legislation was adopted. great
advancement has been made In con-
struction, and vastly increased mile
age OF good roads provided. The de-
velopment Of the system Of good
roads already initiated will very
greatly stimulate the f1ture growth
Of Maine. We should observe liberal
attitude toward new road construc-
ton make adequate provisions for the
upkeep Of the roads that have been
constructed, enact laws regulating and
controlling the operation OF moter We
hicles, and make due provision for the
enforcement Of such laws.
Orfr Agricultural. manufacturing