Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-20
WORKING At CROSS PURPOSES

vOuNuIVS - SshSSS 49,
. There seems to be an impression
raining ground that s-purposes
in the management OF the States at
fairs are the cause Of conditions
which are not helpful. An express
sion respecting the outcome of the
State Pier resolve indicates this. 1t
was to this effect: the Governor gets
: the glory for trying to be economical,
the Legislature get criticized for ex-
travagance, the State Pier gets what
It needs, the Republican party gets
blamed and the public gets the bills.
Another comment was respecting
suggestion that had the resolve been
defeated the Governor would have
taken enough from the contingent
found to have made the temporary
repairs needed to put the old wharf
in a safe condition for the time be-
ing; and a reply to that was: why
didn't he say so, why wasn't the mat
ter talked over? Another comment
was even more disquieting. 1t was
to the effect that policy Of putting
off, Of deferring action until too late
10 be effective, is paralyzing affairs:
that orders of the Council are held
up with the likelihood that the pur-
pore in that way will be defeated.
1t Is but repeating. what everyone
knows, to say that with every Of
dcial and legislator on the job. each
doing his best and each cooperating
In a spirit of mutual helpfulness. the
work that is to be done will be done
none too we'll Each is naturally wish
ing to clear his own skirts of criticism
that in justice wouldn't apply to him,
but there is something bigger than
that to think about and that Is the
successful management of the affairs
entrusted to the hands of our State
Officials and lawmakers. When that
view Is accepted and lived up to not
only will the State get, in the only
way possible, the service which 1t
has a right to expect and the politi-
cal party responsible for the present
administration get the credit, which
belongs to 1t. of accepting and en-
dorsing those who are the admins
traitors of affairs.
But a few weeks remain of the Slst
legislature. Affairs have arrived at
the crucial point where the utmost
skill. the strictest attention and I'M
divided effort are required properly
to dispose of the massed bills. 1t IL
at this time when the entering
wedges are placed, when the "jokers"
slide through unless every person en-
trusted with a place in the line is
uuseldshly intent on the work to
which he has been assigned. We
would not assume to pose as adj
visor but it seems properly within
the province Of a newspaper to pre-
sent the news, and the sentiment of
the man in the street is matter OF
legitimate news. We believe that
sentiment is quite unanimous. 1t Is
to the effect that the thing for the
chief executive and the lawmakers to
do is to have = real get-together, dis
eues frankly the view points and
come to a mutual understanding
respecting the matters before them;
and, II they are able to do that, each
should loyalty stand by that under
standing and go ahead with Names
work in no' faith and with single
purpose. The State is neither bank
rupt nor disposed to lie down in the
furrow. Better times are already
here. We cannot afford to put our
selves in such a condition that we
may not take advantage of our OPP
portunities. but We do want to make
sure that at this time with so much
real constructive effort demanded we
are not misled by vagaries. Deter
miro what evidently should be done
and then turn to and do it.