Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-05
WHY WASTE TINE IN VAIN
IMAGINING?

IMAGINING?
Why should the people of Maine
waste time and opportunity in vain
imaginings? Why nourish sense OF
injury when knowledge OF all the con-
ditions would assure us that injury
lay largely in misconception?
Today, when the national govern
ment IL endenvoring to direct the
transmission OF electrical power, is
contemplating subsidizing q great I'M
dertaking on the st. Lawrence river
which Is expected greatly to increase
the power available. surely this is no
time to neglect opportunity knocking
at the door.
The decision OF the L. S. Supreme
Court whereby a state Is prevented
interfering with the piping OF natural
gas outside that states domain in
dicates what we may expect should
a decision OF tho court be had per-
tanning to the matter OF sending over
tho wires to another state electricity
generated by Names waterpowers.
In that event we know OF no prac-
teal way by which such transmission
OF electricity could be prevented to
any appreciate extent The clause
In the charters forbiddng companies
organized In Maine to do that would
become null and void.
II the state owned water privileges
and generated electricity II could dis
pose OF that as It saw fit. But 1t
does not own enough water privileges
to affect the situation. 1t cannot con-
denim and pay for all the privileges
in Maine without an amendment to
tho constitution permitting this to be
done
We're that authority granted. in or
der to develop those powers tho State
would enter upon the raising of capt.
tai In enormous amounts and tho pc.
litical manipulation OF resources,
compared with which Teapot Dome
would appear n pikers adventure. So
long as Maine people retain their
rugged common sense they never will
be deluded by any such will O. wisp.
There remains for the people OF this
state one alternative, and the sooner
they get about 1t the better. Get as
many enterprises to come to our
waterpowers as possible before the
potentlality OF those waterpowers IL
sent out Of the state: encourage every
possible use OF electricity In every
practical way. 1t should now be en-
ployed in running our railroads: It
should be turning the wheels OF many
wood working mills In the hardwood
sections OF the state. Every induce
ment to generate power for home In
dustry should be offered and enter
prise from all parts should be direct
ed to the possibilities.
Get them coming while the coming
IA good.
In doing this we shall not be sac
rific!ng any rights OF heritage" II
there ever were robbery OF the So
called heritage OF waterpowers In
Maine 1t was perpetrated. largely.
when the red people inhabited this
part OF the country and colonial
grants were made. One can't be rob-
bed OF what one doesn't possess. and
from all we can learn the claim on
many Of the great waterpowers Of
what is now Maine passed under pri-
waite or corporate interests before
Maine became n state. But. however
this may be. this Is no time for pin
ing or sulking. 1t is up to us to make
the best of what we have.
One Of the greatest obstacles In the
way Of doing this are erroneous ideas
respecting the situation. sense OF in
jury where none exists. suspicion that
is destructive in place Of knowledge
that is constructive.
Tell the people the truth. no matter
II some Of them would like to believe
what isn't so. Don't tell them they
are losing something they don't pos
sess. That will not put them in the
right frame Of mind: that will not
help them check corporate greed: 1t
will not help them to get the best
out Of corporate enterprise. Corpora
tons may have no soul but the men
who manage them have and surely
are not insensible Of the power that
Is behind a righteous movement,
otherwise We would not see an eight
hour day in the steel mills.
We don't want the corporations to
have more than belongs to them, but
IL Is very important they should be
secured In what does belong to them.
II We wish them to go ahead and help
build up Maine. we at least must show
willingness to work with them.
Maine needs the cooperation of all
the we'll directed enterprise 1t can
secure, needs it right now. Samuel
johnson said: ''The use Of travelling
10 to regulate imagination by reality.
and. instead Of thinking how things
may be. to see them as they are"
Maine should be acquainted with the
exact situation. should know sjust
what the laws provide, Just what are
the resources and what may be done
To cooperate for the use Of them. The