Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-06
TO.SENATE TODAY
Continued from Page One)

company are not in favor Of the plan.
The plan coming as the result of a
series Of conferences held between
the Governor and representatives of
the kennebc Reservoir company, calls
for the enactment of a law chartering
the Dead River Reservoir company
with poWr 10 do the things which the
kennebcc Reservoir company was
granted under the charter which had
been granted to ii, but with certain
differences. The main difference in
the proposition os outlined by Cover
nor Baxter is as follows:
Instead of the company being given
power to acquire the State lands for
reservoir purposes only at a price to
he fixed by future arbitration. it is
agreed that the state shall lease to it
ali of the state lands for storage
purposes and in addition-this being
the big feature-the right to develop
electrical power, for the present
agreed rental of $4,000 per year. 1t
is estimated that the reservoir can
be so constructed and operated as to
produce 5000 horse power on this
privilege without interfering with the
benefits conferred upon the powers
of the kcnnebec river.
upon for y franchise tax or An annual
return for tho privilege Of maintaining
A reservoir And it being agreed that
the policy already established by the
State ofacncourag ing this form of de-
yelopmcnt need not be altered. The
present project is not typical OF stor-
acc conditions in the state generally
because in most instances the state
does not own land at tho outlet nor
any water power appertcnent TO 1t Tor
which things the now bill gives the
State this rental.
The first cased period is for 40 wears
and the bill provides that if tho state
docs not take over the property at tho
expiration of that date there shall be
renewals for 20-ycar periods until such
time a $ the state may decide TO acquire
tn, company's rights.
he~.propoScd charter of the Dead
River Reservoir Co. will contain pro-
visions that the standing growth on the
land to he flowed must be removed ana
that accJial work upon the construction
of the reservoir dam must begin within
IS months I'D other minor restrictions
which it is felt will he we'll to have
embodied therein.
At these conferences which brought
about the compromise which is regard
cd by all concerned as very amlcaplc
and desirable both for the state ana
the owners and users of power on the
henncbec. were prominent members of
the Senate, representatives OF the pow :
er users and Governor Baxter. All or
those. It was understood. freely eN-
messed his views and no decision on.
even the most minor points. was agreed
upon until it had hoen fully considered
from All angles and met the approVa
of all concerned.
A section of this new bill will pro-
vide that upon its becoming a law inc
bill Incorporating the kennebec Reser-
yoir co. shall be repealed, which Will
eliminate from further considerati ton
sny refcrcndums upon that bill.
Message of Percival =. Baxter,
Governor Of Maine on the Dead River
Reservoir Company charter:
On March 10th last l appeared IN
person before a, joint session OF TINS
LEGISLATURE and delivered message
vetoing AN Act to create the Ken
nobcc Reservoir company ana denhe
the powers Thereof In that mes
SAGE | described the storage reservoir
that was to he created and point
cd out how the rights of the State of
Maine in certain lands. and in Ger
tain water resources that belonged to
the State were being decided away 70
private Interests.
/ stated that the proposed storage
reservoir was of incstmable value.
and expressed my opinion that the
ceople of the state should retain II
for themselves" l used the following
lancuage: The people of the state
OF Maine never should part with any
! more Of their inherent rights in the
+ states natural resources. These
should be held in perpetuity for the
benefit of the present and future
| eenerations and that "should my