The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-02
ROTAR|ANS LISTEN TO
HON. {. R. WHEELER
Large Attendance oi Members and
Guests nj Regular Rotary Dinner

Skowhegan Rotary Club had Il
splendid meeting in G.. A. h. Hall
Friday evening. A roast chicken
dinner with other dainties was served
at six-iiltoen under the direction Of
Mrs K. Il. Simpson. caterer. The
usual clab songs We're sung under tie
leadership of Prof. leighton and
Wallace j. Foley Jr furnished piano
music The president, G. p. Merrill
presided and read = telegram from
Secretary x. l.. MarSton who Wis
in Boston at the time. Hon. Edward
w Wheeler of Brunswick, now
General Counsel of the NJ. C. r. X.
was the speaker OF the evening
and club members were allowed
to present grievances prior 10
the address The grievances we're
varied in the extreme and caused II
lot of amusement They ran all the
way from Il cow-chasing episode
which annoyed farmer on the River
Road to the grievance of Walter Hight
who wanted the freight yard fenced
off for the special convenience of the
firm of Holt d Hight. Finally +. w.
Buckman presented small car TO MIR.
Wheeler and President Merrill then
introduced him by ringing a bell, the
blowing of a whistle and sounds pecn-
larly like the blowing off of steam
from the Maine Central engines.
Mr. Wheeler began his address with
pleasing references to tho humorous
grievances created for the occasion
and then proceeded to give an able
address which enlightened the lmen-
bers and their guests on railroad
conditions in Maine. He said il WAS
a gigantic task TO speak on railroad
transportation but that he didn't
know the situation was so aCut" until
he heard the protest of the Skowhcgan
men that evening. He also spoke Of
making "A scedulp To fit the car which
had been presented to him by Mr..
Bncknam.
Mr. Wheeler spoke Of varioue laws
in different states with regard 10 rail
road transportation. some of the laws
being unusual i'm the extreme. He
did not advise that New England
railroads be put in a group by them
selves as he believed such a movement
would be suicidal 10 commerce and
industries. He dwelt especially on
the excessive tax imposed upon the
railroads of Maine which he said were
the highest of any state in the union.
with the state of California the second
highest. He referred to the decrease
of business on railroads because of
motor trucks and automobiles and
while he believed in the Improvement
of highways in the State OF Maine he
felt that the extensive cost should be
borne by the people rather than from
excessive tax of the railroads who
suffered so severely from the improve
ments of Maine roads. According Ia
Mr.. Wheeler the advance in rates
were necessary because of increased
expenses and while more money was
being handled the railroad itself WAS
not receiving any larger returns Than
when the transportation was afford
ed al a lesser cost At the conclusion
of Mr. Wheeler's address. President
Merrill extended the clubs appre-
citation for the pleasure which Mr..
Wheeler's visit had occasioned, an
other Rotary song was sung with one
verse of America in closing. Nearly
every member invited guest, the
out of town men present being, DR.
John TOWne of WaterVille, George
Marr of Wateryille George Nose OF
Waterville and Frank II. lIolley OF
North Ansun.