Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-05

Initiative and enterprise Of federal
and State interference with the re-
sponsibilities Of the community and
the individual, though apparently
not apprehensive respecting state
ownership and development of water
resources. Notwithstanding he as
sumes to have this restricted to the
storage proposition he apparently
cverlooks the possibilities with which
it might be loaded.
Already water storage on the
Penobscot and the Androscoggin
waters has been developed by private
enterprise. Would he have that
taken over by the State? A PROPOSE
ton is on foot to similarly develop
by private effort the water storage
en- the Kennebec system. Would he
have that wait on the States finan-
cial condition. which ne finds not
equal to the appropriating of money
at the present time? What should
become Of the project while the
State is considering his proposed
amendment and subsequent Legisla-
lures are considering ways and
means: and what is to keep the
hands of the politicians off? This is
left to the Imagination.
We think in his discussion of TIE
problem he has tried to be fair. The
need of a regulator for all sucn pub
lie service enterprises cannot be
successfully questioned in the light
of experience. Our State is a good
place for industry seeking our cleo
tricity to come, rather than send the
power to them. But State ownership
is something else, decidedly so, and
ii it be judged by it's fruit, has
miserably failed all along the line.
Whatever the Cole committee may
find respecting the State departments
the Governor makes it plain that he
thinks them on the whole efficiently
managed and most live within the
legislative appropriation. But, though
some may ask for expansion, he
would not have it for the present
and he would have the heads Of those
departments on their jobs throughout
the year. Neither would he hesitate
to disturb traditions if occasion arise,
the inference being that the COM
mittee will find some occasion.
He squarely opposes any change in
the primary law, and though he does
not deny that it has faults he makes
no suggestion for their correction.
He regards the so called legislative
blocs but another name for log roll
ing. So far so good, but they are
vastly more, they are the menacing
symptoms of disintegration Of the
| party system oil government. They
ale aided and abetted by the direct
primary, under which rich public
Spirited citizen of Pennsylvania re-
Gently expended over a hundred
thousand dollars to secure the nomi
nation for Governor. In view of all
the Well-known demonstrated faults
OF the primary system there ought to
| be intelligent effort to amend If not
| to end it.
The Governor favors a full-time.
adequately paid board of managers
for our State institutions. In view of
the duties devolving on the State
Board of Charities and Corrections
to Investigate and inspect the whole
system of public charities and cor
regional institutions m the State
and the work of any department Of
the same" care should pc exercised
IL would seem, to avoid duplication
of effort and expense His plea for
more uniformity and better methods
OF bookkeeping seems to be q rea-
sonable one.
| Although the Governor speaks al
unusual length it should be remem-
bered that he has given unstintedly
OF his time to the study of these
many phases Of the States relations
to the affairs Of Maine. In view OF
this, If for no other reason, those
who should be interested, meaning
all good citizens. are under obliga-
ton to give their attention. 1t is an
exposition exceedingly we'll told and
likewise instructive.
| GOOD LAMENTATIONS