Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-06

Whether or not the plan for locat-
ing the Summer White House in
Maine will be considered by Con-
gress, remains to be seen. The
Baltimorean who left $4,000 in his
will to the government, contingent
on the selection Of site for the pro-
perty in Maryland within SO miles
of Washington, started agitation on
an old question. But Maine is not
to be outdone. and now comes a
Representative in the S1st State Leg
islature who offers to give outright
his hotel property with five acres of
land in one of Names most beautiful
spots and guarantees to raise $4,000
to remodel the building to meet the
Presidents requirements.
This generous offer has been made
to Congress by Representative j.
Sherman Douglas of Lamoine, a
well-known hotel man in Hancock
county, who has Names interests at
heart. The letter was forwarded
yesterday to United States Senator
Frederick Hale of Maine. Mr..
Douglas is the owner of a fine hotel
at Lamoine Beach and thissproperty
he is ready and willing to turn over
to the Government in order that the
President may come to Maine for his
summer vacations.
Many will remember that two
years ago Mr.. Douglas extended to
Presiden Harding he use of his hotel
property and guaranteed to raise
$4,000 that it might be fitted up as
the President would like it. At that
time, Mr.. Douglas received the re-
ply from the secretary of President
Harding saying that the offer would
be considered but that at that time
the President had practically decided
not to get SO far away from Wash
ington.
Now Mr.. Douglas comes forward
with a bigger offer. For four years.
Mr.. Douglas has owned and managed
the hotel "Shore Acres" at Lamoine
Beach, one mile from Mt. Desert
Island and six miles from Bar .Har-
Dor. At that place the Government
maintains coaling station with rs
acres of field land which would be
admirable adapted for an exclusive
golf course for the President and his
friends. The cottages in front Of the
hotel could easily be purchased.
providing an uninterrupted view of
the ocean at Frenchman's Bay. From
the hotel piazza, one can see the
most of Lafayette National Park and
Mt. Desert Island.
The beach adjacent is nearly one
mile in length and off the coast the
deep water fishing is excellent. The
hotel is located nine miles from
Ellsworth with a fine road connect
ing At the coaling station is a
large pier which the President could
make use of for his yacht. 1.-The
Mayower." Mr.. Douglas in addition
to giving this property. feels sure
that he would easily be able to raise
$4,000 in Hancock and Penobscot
counties alone as gift to remodel
the property for the President and
his family.
Mr.. Douglas only reason for max
ing this offer is to advertise Maine.
He believes that Maine Should be
better known as a summer resort
and as the summer playground Of
America. And he believes that one
of the most attractive places IN the
Pine Tree State is LamOine Eeach,
where Senator Hale and Hon. John A.
Peters used to have their summer
homes. 1t was at ashore Acres"
that James A. Hearn wrote the play
by that name which met such sue
cess. The many people who have
visited the beach summers and have
stopped at "Shores Acres" will be
especially interested in the outcome
of the matter-just as will ether
people in this section Of the coun-
FRY