Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-05
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR
Continued from Page Eioht)

SsssoTs are OF smaller mental cali
fornar,, "y.ns ~ not the fine art it
mohpiace and those who attempt the
ola style methods appear to take
themselves far too seriously "a thnv
gather IN groups behind the rail or
s sEo"s 'n nnd corridors ,hald Times have
OF lobbying less offensive and dan.
Serous than those of a few wears awo
have no grievance against citi-
aens employed to come to Augusta to
plead an honest cause Such men ara
always well received and are nntit1cS
TO our respect. but lobbyists who be-
come arrogant with Imaginary power
ana who. as Otter has been done in
me past. use business pressure and
discredited. l hope the Slst Leris.
iaturc Will be spared those time
worn methods but all will welcome
information given in a cleancut,
wholesome manner by men sent here
to impart it to us.
Fuel Administration
Last August a crisis arose in the
coal mining regions of this country
ana nationwide coal strike was
declared. Maine faced a fuel famine
and it looked as though there would
be no hard coal for our homes and
nut little soft coal for our Industries.
The emergency demanded prompt
Easements so as to face this unex-
pected problem. Our laws make no
provision for n fuel administration
but. believing that public sentiment
would give it approval aud supported
by the Executive Councillors. 1 Great
ed an organization to meet the situa-
ton, made myself Fuel Administra-
tor. and Mr.. Andrew p. Lane Fuel
director, and appointed an Advisory
Committee composed Of some Of our
mi tn1 1ifs
promptly began to provide for
Names needs and in fact Maine was
the first State to have it's official re-
preventative in Washington to confer
with the Federal authorities. Shortly
after out administration began work
1T offered emergency supplies of coal
to the industries of the State, some
OF which were sorely in need of it.
since August everything has been
done to secure an adequate supply of
ana through our efforts Maine has
been given priority rights over other
states. With few exceptions the
coal dealers have cooperated with us
moro nearly normal. Maine will re-
ceive in excess of it's allotted per-
centage of anthracite mined since
the end of the strike, and soft coal
is abundant.
Our State administration from the
State refrain from entering the fuel
business or interfering unnecessarily
with the affairs of private concerns.
Coal is now coming into the State
ing has been checked. The State
Fuel Administration is responsible
for great saving in the coal bill of
our citizens. The expenses of this
work to Dec. !. were $2.540.19.
The Fuel Directors long exper-
fence as Traffic Manager of a large
corporation gave him an unusual in
sight into coal and traffic problems.
He deserves great credit for his ac-
complishments and the State of
I could not have found his equal. CAP
plause).
also desire to express my official
and personal appreciation for the
President of the Great Northern
Paper Company when 1 appealed to
him to release Mr. Lane for public
service. No questions were asked.
and my request was granted with
out delay.
Federal Aid
The offer of the Federal Govern
ment to contribute toward maternity
and child welfare work in Maine
provoked Statewide discussion. The
Councillors and myself were unan-
imously of the opinion that the ac-
ceptancc of Federal funds was a
matter for legislative action, and
convened the State was able to care
for its own mothers and children.
We did not accept the proffered aid.
but Appropriated for the work re-
fcrred to an amount of money equal
to that offered to us by the Federal
authorities. You will be asked to ac-
cept Federal Aid for maternity and
child welfare work. The question
needs to be considered from every
angle and hope you will be unmoved
by partisan appeal or political influ-
ences. 1t is fact that Maine today is
receiving Federal Aid for several of
it's dcpa rtmentS but under arrange
ments made before I became Cover
sovereignty is involved in this ques-
Individual Endeavor and Paternansm
The modern tendency is toward
governmental patcrnalisni. The rcd
cral Government is gradually assum-
ing control over and directing the
policies of States: the States arc doing
likewise with their municipalities:
and all three. as they encroach upon
the fields OF individual endeavor, arc
doing much to weaken the citizens
sense of personal responsibility. This
progression is in the wrong direction
and should be checked. We should
have the minimum of government and
t he maximum of personal effort: citi-
zens should become self-reliant. they
should not lean upon the State or
stand that they are responsible mem
bers of the community and that this
responsibility cannot be evadcd. Those
who arc able to care for themselves
must be made. to do so: while those
who cannot. of course. will be provided
for at public expense. The action that
this Legislature takes on the Shop
pard-Towner Bill will be of deep in
tcrcst to students of EoVcrnment
hope to those who disapproNc or Fed
cral interference comes from an un-
expected quarter. President Harding
in his. recent message to the Congress
the "extrancous activities" over. which
he was concerned because of their
INCREASING state. County and Munlci-
pal indebtedness" JIG stated that no
fould be expected until and unless
there was a material reduction in Fed
cral Aid. Evidently Congress is firing
of it's costly experiments.
Secret Orders
The secret order that has obtained
a foothold in neighborng states. has
as yet made but little headway !, h ',in,;
and what it stands for and believe in
government by law. They arc accus-
toned to talking and acting IN the
open. where. they can be both hoard
and seen. 7 may find it necessary to
ask for legislation to curb those who
seek to set up an invisible government
in our midst but whatever happens the
dignity of the State will be maintained
regardless of cost.
Public Service
II is an honor to be Governor of this
State or a member of it's Legislature,
il one is free from outside influences
and in a position to decide cacn QucS-