Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-10

be repealed. and that the co1templat-
ed appropriation in the Budget be
referred to a committee for careful
consideration in order that whatever
is finally appropriated by the State
for the maintenance of this house
shall be understood by ALL Should
you accept these suggestions you
will, in my opinion. place this ques-
ton upon a proper basis.
! You already have decided that. the
Blaine House should be kept open to
the people of our State so that those
who. from historical and sentimental
reasons desire to visit it, may freely
do so. The Blaine House was ac-
cepted by the State as sacred trust.
1t was given in trust to our late Gov
ernor to be held by him during his
term Of office. 1t would, in my opin-
ion, be a generous and an appro-
pirate act for You. after repeating
the s32.500 Resolve. to pass resolve
in its stead providing that the sum
Of not less than $4,000 per year for
the years of 1921 and 1922 be placed
! in the hands of the devoted wife of
our late Executive, to be used by her
for the benefit of herself and her chill
dren.
Water Powers
AS a legislator I advocated the re-
tention Of Names water powers for
the benefit of Maine people: opposed
Federal interference with and control
of these water powers: urged the APP
pointment of a commission to secure
! the facts about them so that these
might be placed before the people:
and was instrumental in attaching a
restrictive amendment to such water
power charters as came before the
last two Legislatures. I also advo-
Gated the development and control by
the State of storage reservoirs and
basins, which constitute the basis of
successful hydro electric develop
ment and of the undeveloped water
powers incident thereto.
The policy of nom transmission of
hydro electric energy beyond the
State is supported by an overwhelm-
ing public sentiment, and, in-so- far
as the State of Maine is able to do
so, this policy has been safeguarded
by law and by amendment. The
Maine Waterpower Commission, in
my opinion, in it's recent report, has
justified its creation and it's con-
tinuance, as the only. available cham
mel through which the facts may be
properly and impartially put before
the people. Should the Federal Gov
eminent attempt to assume control
over Names water powers under the
Federal Waterpower Act, or should
any water power corporation in vio-
lation of the laws of this State, and
in disregard of the will of the people,
undertake to transmit the water
powers of Maine beyond the con-
fines of the State. the Attorney Cen
eral will be directed to defend the
rights and sovereignty of the State
and to proceed against the offending
corporation.
In 1919, in order to clear the way
for constructive action by the pres
ent Legislature, 1 framed, and the
Legislature submitted to our SUI
preme Judicial Court, certain water
power questions. The Court, in its
answers to these questions, gave its
opinion that the development by the
State of storage reservoirs and
basins and of the undeveloped water
powers incident thereto would be at
variance with the existing provisions
of our State constitution. The State
constitution was adopted in the first
instance by the people Of the State
and consequently is subject to
amendment by them. In view of the
Courts opinion, before actual de-
velopment can be undertaken by the
State, it is necessary for the Con-
stitution to be amended. belieVe
in the passage of such an amendment
and urge it's serious consideration
upon you. During the period that
such an amendment is before the
people for elaboration and discus
sion, the Waterpower Commission
should continue it's work OF investt-
cation.
Maine should not fall back into Its
former state of indifference to this
vital question. Maine must advance
Private development should be en-
couraged and property rights must be
respected. 1t need never be feared
| that the State of Maine will take prop
erty or rights from lawful owners
| without returning to them lawful COM
| pensation therefor. The construction OF
storage reservoirs and basins and the
development Of the undeveloped water
| powers incident thereto by the State
should, in my opinion. be begun under
proper safeguards after present restric-
tons are removed Maine needs the
! benefit of its waterpowers and the need
becomes more pressing as years go by
Ny deep interest in this issue contin-
ues, but it must Of necessity be in an
executive, rather than in a Legislative
capacity.
Mt. Katahdin Park
The forests of Maine constitute. with
| our waterpowers, the great natural re-
sources of the State. The waterpowers
in their nature are perpetual. while the
forests may be and have been. wan
tonly destroyed by wasteful manage.
ment and by fire. A century Of state.
hood has passed, during which period
the millions of forest acres once pub
| licly owned have passed to private
hands. In the heart of the wilderness
of these woods stands Mt. Katahdin
the greatest monument of nature that
exists east of the Mississippi River. This
| mountain raises its head aloft unafraid
of the passing storm and is typical OF
the rugged character of the people OF
| Maine The purchase of this mountain
will constitute a fitting memorial to
the past century and an inspiration to
| the new.