Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-18
Mt. Katahdin Plan
Would Involve State
Great Financial Outlay
Bangor Commercially

L
there will be a hearing before tne
legislative committee on state LANDS
and Forest Preservation ON the Dill 70
establish the Mt. katahdin state PARK.
Believing that there is some popular
misconception about this measure we
desire to discuss tsat some length,
for to our mind the proposition Is
very dangerous one. all the more SO
because of the natural acceptance py
many of the general proposition tnat
a State park is good thing, that Mt.
Katahdin is one of the beauty spots
of the State and should be. preserved
and that any movement for the con-
servation of our forests is worthy
We do not question in any way the
motives of the gentlemen who are FOR
though with the reservation that they
may not see clearly to the bottom of
the glass. But we do question the
wisdom of the proposition as advanced
lature and the people of the State of
Maine to look at this Mt. Katahdin
State park plan with careful scrutiny,
to consider it from all angles, to judge
to act in accordance with the judgment
so formed. And when this is, done.
when the project is viewed with sense.
sanity and safety. we believe that the
reason for the State of Maine to en-
bark upon this project as outlined in
the bill now before the Legislature.
The Commercial in the past has
Mt. Katahdin. a proposal for which
Hon. Frank. E. Guernsey worked
steadily when a member of Congress.
But we submit a proposal to devote
without expense to the State of Maine
and proposal for the State to buy
the Mountain and thousands of acres
of land adjacent to it and enter upon
system of road development, are horses
of very different hue. se
The present Legislature has been
urged by Governor Baxter. the late
Governor Parkhurst and the public
for the economy practiced: That the
State needs economy is admitted on
every side. There is need for such be-
cause of the. financial condition of the
Sate and of it's people.
There is no mystery about the finan-
cial condition of the State. In recent
years the debt has been steadily grow
ing and the present Legislature. is be-
ment deficits. while others were taken
care of by Governor Milliken and his
council from the contingent fund and
moneys not otherwise expended.
There is being asked from the Legisla-
ture money to the amount of rising
S30:000,000 and the committee on the
budget recommends appropriations to-
June &C. 1928, aggregating some
state in this direction reckoning upon
a State tax of six mills. And the re-
ceipts of the State from indirect tax
alton as estimated will shrink by some
roads for relief from -exces sive taxa
ton are granted. as it is the clear in
tention of the Legislature to do and
which the Legislature should do.
Thus the members of the Legisla-
ture are facing requests for more than
$50, 100000 with financial resources of
about S17,000,000. But about half of
the requests can be met unless excess
and with the financial hardships now
borne by the taxpayers, we believe
that all will agree that economy must
be the watchword. =
to the Legislature for appropriations
for hospitals. sanatoriums. schools
and highways, for the support and
education, of the wards of the State
and the children of the State, for help
for the many worthy objects support
ed in main part by philanthropic citi-
zens, for help to aid trans portation
and thus aid business. Which make
lions and our development. or a scenic
proposition at Mt. Katahdin.
We stand for economy and thus we
oppose the Mt Katahdin project as il
stands in the bill now before the
Legislature which we believe would
let the State in for vast and un-
necessary expense and embark us
upon a nebulous project which would
cost millions with little of compensat-
ing value.
Let us glance for minufe at the
BILL let us see just what itsproposes:
cred by the State to acquire the whole
or any portion of land which the board
may deem suitable for the establish
ment of the Mount Katahdin State Park
and the board may also take and
appropriate in the name of the State
and for the use of the State. land for
roads. trails, rights Of way and camp
sites. THIS is certainly somewhat
sweeping. May take any land which
the board may. consider suitable.
Where is the limit?
. We suppose that the argument will