Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-18
Thursday. January 10, 1923.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE ABOUT
THIS?


Really there is no good reason to
suppose that distinguished persons
who represent us in the Legislature
are exempt from susceptibilities
which affect US. II we get into the
habit of shifting responsibility onto
the State or the selectmen it is too
muct to expect that any one of us
selected to go to the Legislature
will drop the habit.
This is suggested by the report
that the Legislature is considering
referring directly to the people some
of the problems already in the offing.
Possibly that suggestion shouldn't
have come to mind. 1t may be do
ing. somebody an injustice. That me-
thod may be the only way to salts
factorily determine, for instance,
whether the State should discontinue
a policy of aiding private institu-
tiohs. Assuming this view to be
corrcct-and several columns could
be written in discussion of the two
sides of 1.-THE Legislature surely
ought not to shirk responsibility for
any hardship arising meanwhile and
because of it. BY hardship we don't
mean inconvenience or the dislike of
some, who possibly have enjoyed this
aid at the expense of the State when
it ought to have been at their own
expense. We have in mind the cases
which would be subjected to actual
suffering or deprivation if this aid is
cut off, or be turned over as direct
charges on the State, to be cared for
by the State at greater expense than
the. State now incurs.
A private institution, The Maine
Children's Home Society with head
quarters right here in Augusta is an
instance which brings this consid-
Grafton home to us. This society
gets $4,000 aid from the State. OF the
343 children now under it's surer-
vision at least 80 are so situated as
to become direct charges on the
State in event the aid now being
rendered through this society should
be Withheld. In that event it is easy
to see that the cost to the State
would be greater than it is now. as
the State aid goes for bare subsis-
tence, the society furnishing the
clothes and other necessities. MANY
other cases would fall on the towns.
If the work now being done by this
society should by reason of lack of
funds be turned over to the State
and to the towns it is evident the tax
payers would have an increased
rather than a decreased demand I'D
on them.
There is another feature which
should not be overlooked. 1t is said,
and the authority is entitled to
credence, that this society has been
able to do much good in the way of
aiding those who have such re-
luctance to be classed as paupers
that they would starve before MAX
ing their wants known. That is an
admirable spirit. It should be en-
couraged and aided. The Opposite
spirit Is a menace. But how liberal
can the State afford to be in this .
1t Is said that Notwithstanding
Maine has a number of splendid in
situations which care for children
they seem to be overlooking and lack
capacity in many instances for
properly caring for them. Can the
State do this better and more cheap
ly? Unless it can should it attempt
to do so and take from localities all
sense of responsibility for the we'll
being of those within their limits If
has the power to supervise this
work: 1T should be aware of what is
being accomplished. This informa-
ton should be easily available for the
Legislature.
Surely here is something which the
State Legislature cannot well pass
along in a referendum. Much tim
would be consumed before anything
definite might be obtained that way
and meanwhile there is before them
q condition, not a theory. 1t is for
the Legislature to say what shall be
done about it.