Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-13
Mr.. JACK IN PRINT


Tn the yernal season weeds as we'll
as desirable vegetation, are susceph-
bic to the seasonal impulse to shoot
I'D into the light where they may be
visible. THIS also may be true OF
ideas, the mischievous as we'll as the
useful. Anyhow. Mr. L. A. Jack OF
Lisbon Falls. in calmer moments,
may come to clearer comprehension
of that urge which impels him to get
into print.
10 have a grievance because news
papers have not always freely given
10 him all the space he may have
wished, the Journal extends the hos
pitality Of it's Letter Box-with the
distinct understanding, however, that
this shall in no way be regarded a
precedent or promise for the flu
ture. Not only that, but it invites
the attention of its readers to Mr..
Jacks lucubrations-or words to that
cffect-only asking that they shall
keep in mind the advice of an emf
nent educator: beware the false
premise. 1t is likely to be found in
the introduction and may escape
consideration and the reader be led
to conclusions that are absolutely
false
In this instance the premise is that
it would be simple matter for the
State to take overland pay for
(don't forget that because that's the
law)-all water power sites, build
reservoirs wherever wanted. sell the
horse power, bring in wicked capital
to buy tat such a price as
"chloroformed" Legislature might fix
and get unlimited money, for such
Legislature to spend. by the sale of
bonds to the dear people. Bonds. the
magic wand with which to smite the
rock, that the living waters may gush
forth and be scooped up with
political ladle for all who thirst and
will bow to drink from the aforesaid
political ladle-if you know what we
mean-or what Mr.. Jack means.
SO simple.
Notwithstanding this seems so easy
when Mr.. Jack tells it, one almost
wonders what pleasure he ever might
find in being Governor Of such auto
matte machinery run by perpetual
motion. But, as he remarks. with a
casual insouciance we trust will not
be lost on even the casual reader.
"Great oaks from little acorns grow"
we would merely allude to the fact
that to get oaks, acorns, not bird
seed, must be planted in suitable soil.
After duly considering the desira-
bility of Chicago. New York and
Boston capitalists in our midst
clamoring hungrily for water power
and a chance to build mills and
finance industries to utilize it-al-
ways of course provided that they be
not permitted to build a dam or i'm
pound water for that purpose-that
the State store 1t by the aid of bonds,
manage and sell 1t through the
agency of stupefled Legislatures and
politicians, and after freely admitting
the people want cheaper coal and
less slate per ton: that the farmers
want a higher price for their potatoes
we presume the consumer wants a
lower price, but Mr.. Jack doesn't
mention him-and that most all Of us
would like to see all cabbages proper
ly head: having considered these
~
ing clasped hands with Mr.. Jack In
his fervent purpose to extrpate
monopoly" we are in proper mood
to turn expectantly to the remedy
which he prescribes.
This we find to BE state monopoly!
What! more monopoly. after all
that's been said?
Oh, but this is different! This only
requires that legislatures which the
people elect-if permitted by the
Governor also elected by the people
may print some nice looking bonds.
sell them to the people and Of that
money expend millions, many mil
lions lever the State cannot take
property without paying for iD in
storing water and finding customers
for It. OF course there would first
have to be a constitutional amend
mcnt. Il . State would appoint influ-
entail politicians, incorporate them, .
holding company has been suggested
wicked capital having shown what
wizardry may be performed with that
elusive pea, the holding company
and 1t might be necessary to elect
FIR. Jack, Governor.
We would not seem too nippant In
reference to Mr.. Jacks letter. We
understand that he is a respectable
citizen and entertains no desire
ruthlessly to despoil his State. But
what are we to think, when we read.
1.-THE members of the third house Mad
the entire Legislature chloroformed,"
call to mind the fact that this
Azure was chosen by the people
direct primary. that ueperal