Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-02

that is asked. Labor said that all
the burden shouldn't rest on them, al
though it is to be seen that come ad-
justment will be made. We think
we the State should take hand and
help play the game,
We present our measure to you but
we of course report finally to the
Governor and in due time the Inter-
state Commerce Commission will
take up the matter. That court is al
ways in session and so Is the Labor
Board and some kind of an adjust
ment will surely be made. although
no one knows what it will be in dol
lars and cents.
Congress will soon be in session, in
10 days, but you will probably have
adjourned. Congress will probably
ask what Maine has done for relief
and our committee and the Governor
might have to answer nothing.
Therefore we could not leave the sit
uation and the Governor without pre-
senting some measure to you. The
other courts will be in session; this
one will have adjourned. 1t was our
solemn duty to present all the facts
in our possession to you, that you
may do with them as you see fit.
Governor William T. Cobb said
that didn't qualify as Il witness as
representing the Maine Central, al
though director: nor as represent.
ing labor, although connected with q
concern that employed many men
He had been connected for years with
various business enterprises and
would qualify as an ordinary bus
mess man, a citizen of the State OF
Maine. He thought such men had JUS
as much right to so appear as any
one.
He said the idea has been spread
that the Maine Central was not be.
ing managed well, and asserted thai
it was being honestly and efficiently
handled, the management doing ever.
thing possible for the road and the
business interests of the State. D. 1t il
criticising manner. Every act of the
Maine Central is as open as a bool
to any and all who have the right te
inspect.
I've been told that one cause of the
prejudice against the road was it,
propaganda in the newspapers. Why
did we do that? l am a director anC
a member of the committee having il
charge this Legislative matter. The
Maine Central didn't think it right te
have the old system of lobbying. Il
has not had a man under pay in Au-
gusta all this winter. The only wa.
to do was to state the situation ir
the newspapers in q decent, homes
way. don't believe the railroads are
getting fair deal. If the Legislature
believes what the roads say, it should
give some kind of relief
Now, do the railroads need or dc
they not need relief? If they dc
there are only open the avenues men
toned here. We ought, think. gel
part of the relief from the state o.
Maine. If I'VE do not, gentlemen. you
will see the road going into receivers
hands Or into government control. Is
it wise to, let that situation exist?
I've often heard the question "Why
doesn't Maine get ahead?" There
seems to be a feeling against the
management of every corporation in
Maine. as though they were dishon-
est. II that keeps on, the corpora
ton will be leaving Maine and there
are no inducements to get others
here.
This is the most serious situation
that has ever confronted the people
OF Maine and the Maine Legislature
should give some kind of relief to the
railroads. I know of no better ,pur-
pose for which money may be raised
than for the railroads that have done
and are doing so much for the well
fare of the State.
Norman L. Bassett of Augusta, di-
rector of the Boston & Maine. said he
endorsed all that had been said. The
Boston & Maine situation is that the
deficit is increasing and now, instead
of the 100000 month that was CIV
en- at the other hearing, it is nearer
81, 900 a month. The roads fixed
charges annually amount to about
S6.50OO0o If we had no relief and de-
pended on saving just in the econo-
mics on coal, etc. the best we could
do would be to just about pay the
fixed charges. So we felt that it was
right to come to this committee and
ask the Legislature to afford some re-
lief The 5 IL per cent. tax is a hea-
Wy burden. The road with it's 1904