The Republican journal., 1921-02-24
The Legislature.

A few weeks ago we believed the pres
ent session Of the legislature would be
a comparatively short one. We have
chan ed our mind. 1t now appears that
the final adjournment will not be made
Till some time in April. Our Solons have
become inquisltive, are making investi-
cations and are calling for itemized state
ments from heads of departments. This
VIII take some time, if the investiga tions
are comprehensive and thorough and will
PROBABLY lead to some stormy sessions in
committee rooms and in the legislative
chambers.
;. The general public seems to have be-
heved that the appropriations recon-
mended In the budget would be granted,
out numerous people of hopeful tempera
ment are trying to get great deal more
great grlst of bills asking for new or
larger appropriations has been poured into
the legislative hopper. The legislature
mas not yet fully disclosed its intentions
put there are signs indicating that the
puoget is not going into the waste basket
as scrap of paper. Several of our lead
ing newspapers have published strong
editorials against lavish or unnecessary
expenditures. This is beginning to rouse
our people and the legislators are hearing
from the folks back home who are telling
them plainly that our State business must
De cone more economically and better
than heretofore
A hearing, which was held last week in
comm ttee on the resolve to appropriate
sloO, 00Ofor the esta blishing of State Park
AZ MI hatahdin, seemed to make certain
that the committee would report 'Ought
not TO pass" Among the acts recently
introduced and which will later on REQUIRE
the spending of much money, is an act
providing for State maintenance of bridges
over 600 feet long. Another is a resolve
approprlating $4,000 to enable the Kenne-
oec River Bridge Co. to make a survey
preliminary to the building of a bridg ge
across the kennebec river at Bath.
The statement of facts says that the
building of the bridge requires the assist
ance OF the federal government as the
bridge is an important part of United
States military road. Preliminary survey
is required before the Federal government
Will take any action whatever. In 1920
there were ferried by the Maine Centra
at Bath, 1000 cars and ITO, 900 passen-
gers and much valuable time was lost in
delay caused by breaking up of trains and
by ice in winter. During the same time
oO, OO0 passengers were carried on the
Peoples ferry and otherwise. Other pas
senger automobiles that could not con-
venlently reach their destination by
crossing the kennebec at Bath were
obliged to cross the river at Gardiner, de-
touring about 60 miles or wait an un-
reasonable length of time to cross on the
Peoples ferry.
The Senate chamber was packed to the
doors at public hearing on the, So-call-
ed, Sunday Law bill. This proposed law
would permit, on Sunday, musical con-
certs, amateur base ball games and other
teld sports, not involving pecuniary prof.
It's. The opponents to the bill were at
the hearing in force and remonstrances
agalnt its passage are referred to the
committee almost daily.
There will probably be majority and
minority report on this bill and full dis
cusslon by the House and Senate.
On Monday of this week two reports
came from the judiciary committee Of
the legislature on the act to provide for
the appointment of the clerks of court by
the justices of the supreme judicial court.
Report A fought to pass" was signed by
Senator Harrington of Kennebec and
Reps. Maher of Augusta, Cole of Eliot,
Hinckley of South Portland and Gardiner
of Gardiner. Report B "ought not to
pass" was signed by Senators Gillin of
Penobscot and Parent of Androscoggin
and Reps. Wing of Auburn, Buzzell of
Belfast and Murchie Of Calais.
The committee ON judiciary reported
ought not to pass on the barwlse bill, So
called, which would provide for a more
liberal Sabbath.