Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-05

Through my efforts the Maine
Water Power Commission was estab-
lished and valuable work has been
done in stream flow measurement,
map making and water storage i'm
vestigation. believe this work could
be properly carried on and that 1t
would not be detrimental to the pub
lie interest II the present member
reduced to three. or II this work
were placed under q separate division
Of the Public Utility Commission un-
til the Legislature and the people
shall have taken the next step for
ward in water power program.
This change would effect a con-
siderable saving Of money without
loss of efficiency. Future Legisla-
lures can make provision to meet the
situation that will arise If the people
adopt the constitutional amendment
above referred to.
Natural Resources: Forests
Although our forests principally are
sections Of the State. nose Of our peo-
pie, realizing that the forests are q
great natural resource, desire to have
them protected from the ravages Of
lamation prohibiting hunting was is
sued last October Citizens from all
parts of Maine approved my action and
almost without exception hunters,
SpoItlHB CAMP OWIleTS anu GUIDES
willingly made a sacrifice for the sake
of the forests. 1t was encouraging to
see the helpful spirit that prevailed,
and many people with no financial in
terest in timbe rlands appreciated what
was done to check the fire menace
Fire protection is the foundation of
any sound forest policy. Our present
system approaches compilation and it's
fires destroyed 26s, AL acres 90 Of io time
berland. while in 1921. 1862 forest fires
destroyed but $3.50 acres. The issu-
ing of the proclamation referred to es-
Conditions were serious and it was sI not
time for hesitation. Our laws
against starting fires in the woods need
attention and heavier penalties should
danger of fires and of hunting fatali-
ties would be reduced if the hunting
season were opened a fortnight later
than at present.
State is covered by forests that furnish
raw material for our principal indus
tries. protect the sources of our water
powers. stabilize agriculture, lrarbor
our fish and game. and provide places
of recreation both for our own people
and countless visitors. Our wood
using industries represent 1870 of the
total capital invested in industry
within the State. and $40 of the per-
sons employed in all our manufactur-
ing establishments are directly con
ncctcd with our wood supply.
The forests of the northern and east
ern sections cover large areas, but in
addition to these the farmers wood
and timber lots represent large vail
ues, in many cases greater than the
value OF their owners tillable land
These wood lots give employment dur
ing the slack periods and have saved
many a farm from foreclosure.
The Forestry District plan meets
with general satisfaction. The owners
Of fdo forests ffei they should not be sub
derive no benefits therefrom. The
timber, areas or wild lands" are
grouped into a district" and a special
tax is levied upon them. the proceeds
being used exclusively for the benefit
of the lands thus taxed In this man
ner they bear most of the burden of
their own protection. During the year
1921 S105.96S.74 was taken from the
state Contingent Fund to help the For
cStr! District meet unusual fire fight
ing expenses. and of this $50 900 has
not yet been repaid. 1t will be neces-
sary to increase the Districts taxes
10 meet this obligation
Wild Land Values
In 1905 special appropriations were
made for cruising timberlands to as
certain their value for taxable mr.
poses. Since then this work has been
continued and the Eightieth Lcgisla-
tlre appropriated $4,000 for it. with
The result that S2,552. 434 has been add
"a to the states taxable property.
Based on the 1922 tax rate This pr0.
duccs an annual revenue Of s15,314 GO
or $3.50 on the money spent. which will
be paid into our Treasury year by
year without interruption. One hun
dred and thirty-three townships re-
main unexplored by the State asses
sorS. the cost of which will average
500 township. This method Of as
Sertaining values is fair both to tim
nPfia0U owners md 10
investment that the State makes pro-
duceS generous income.
recommend liberal appropriation for
me next two years.
KataLdin
In my opinion the State should os.
1t :n,itl,.a forest reserve or park in the
Nlde wonderful recreation center and
afford suitable location for EXPERT
mcnts in scientific forestry. Some
progress already has been made to-
In 1919 and 1921 advocatnd an
appropriation for Katahdin. and if I
thouTht the State could now afford it.
should do so again. AS l appeal TO
You to forcgo matters in which Won
arc interested. | shall not ask an an.
preparation for the katahdin project.
~ however; would be we'll to recognize
the principle of state Forest Rescr-
walton and a law could be passed So
th"t purchases later can he made whom
FUNDS arc available. This Katahdin
!, si1n mas a rugged grandeur that is
II '. i, t,,i OF strength and endurance
-, - Names sons and daughters. | be-
itcNe the people of the State Nave ho-
come interested in Mount .Katahdn
fn mr ms neslalnture now can lay the
putting the State to any cXper So
4'ataral Ec-ou1ccc: inlani Fish end
Cana
In 1922 s1SGOi937 was spent nv This
department. II he's wide field with
unlimited opportunities for expansion,
Dur inland fish and game constitute an
, ~, PC, natural resource that needs
70 ne carefully conserved for our own
nehc1lS and that of those who follow
us. This Department now receives n
considerable portion of it's fines. Ii
f thnt ices Ices and other collections, a plan
.iiat resembles the fec system of for
MGR dayS. long since abolished. Tho
hrSument that if it is given its income
nose IN charge will he more Jealous in
i Inlnnd Ell. 1t is Damaging one. for an
should lie as watchful of the Interests
OF inc whole State as he is of his mar
sr1d department. All departments
cinI nc placed upon the same finan-
neiinltc appropriations and all income
receive! going into. the general fnnI
IN our state Tree sIiry.
Natural Resources: Sea s.a chore
Fisheries
co IN l'22 this department spent sss.-
n"I..S: but at present. cxcept for ~.
worE IN the lobster fisheries. has dona
LUZ little to develop the boundless mar
mral resources of our coastal wotnre
ms Is unfortunate. for here are great
Possibilities. The present system is
n nnimnersome. for tho Governor APP
mi to-,
a director. who EMPLOYS the wordon {
VINO watch the fishermen. This divides
acSponsIbility and makes for incfficien.
nH IN inc public service. A depart