Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-16

have been willing to wait and abide
their time. The U. S. court decision
will give them much encouragement.
One Of the largest companies in
Maine, the Central Maine Power Co,
came before the 1917 Legislature ask
ing for trifling amendment to it's
charter. 1t would have been passed
as matter of course. This company
however, foreSeeing the future, did
not want to accept the Baxter amend
ment because if the U. S. supreme
court should hold the Maine law I'M
constitutional then the Baxter
amendment would have stepped in
and prevented the Central Maine from
shipping power outside the State.
THE vice president of the Central
Maine Power company was mem
Der Of the Legislature at that time
and he personally withdrew their bill,
for his company even then had an eye
to the future. I distinctly recall the
incident, and 1t is an Illuminating
sidelight on certain power companys
plans.
1T should be remembered that the
power companies in 1917 attempted to
lay their plans to export power. They
introduced one bill which allowed
po"Cl SOIlip ali ONtI llG SStdlt
to consolidate without legislative
sanction so that one great monopoly
could be established. The second bill
have the right of eminent domain and
could condemn property and run their
lines at will over the State. This
clearly showed that they intended TO
take power to the New Hampshire
border, and had it not been for the
efforts of myself and others these bills
would have been passed.
THE fact however that eminent
has not been granted theeS companies
serves as check upon their desires,
and proves the wisdom of those who
caused the defeat of both these bills
THE time has arrived when those
who believe in keeping Names by
dro-electricity within Maine for the
benefit of Maine people, should join
together and insist that every hydro
electric charter. both old and new,
should be so amended by the Legfs-
lature as to make it unlawful for
these companies to take power out of
Maine.
NO doubt a deliberate attempt will
soon be made to test the 1909 law
and already those in charge of great
ny dro- electric development are at
lacking the law. Recently General
Trip. the head of one of the largest
electric companies in the country. de-
livered an address and made special
reference to what he considered the
unWlse policy of the State of Maine
He advocates taking Maine electricity
out of the State and connecting up
our water powers with those to the
south and west of us. This is Just
the beginning of the attack that is
to be made upon our cherished state
policy, and the only way to ward off
is by legislative action.
The greatest combinations of in
terest in this country is behind this
movement and should they succeed
the State of Maine will become a
power station for the rest of New
England and New York. l shall not
hesitate to protect the interests of the
State should occasion arise and suit
would be brought in the name of the
State against any company that vio-
lateS the 1909 law. In such an event
| would call special session of the
legislature and have this matter
presented to the representatives of
the people. Doubtless those who
want our electricity will continue
their campaign in Maine and will at
tempt to show our citizens that
Names policy is doomed. Such is
not the case however and the future
may see some interesting events"
London. May 26.-(A. P. by MaiI.)
The latest entrant for information, I