Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-30
A Few Thoughts From .
An Oxford County Farmer

Reading some comments supposed
to be made by our Governor, COM
menting on the Republican Platform
in regard to the water powers, or
the plank on water powers, | noticed
that he quoted the Executive Com
mittec of the Maine State Grange
as putting out a statement that the
Executive Committee said the state
had no water power rights. l noticed
in another statement from the Gov
ernor where he advised people to
think for themselves. Thinking that
was good advice, have followed II.
and have been thinking, in fact, for
some time, and as thought along
these lines. / discovered that water
powers held in trust by the state, or
privately owned water powers. and
the States water power rights,
were entirely different matters.
Possibly, the Governor did not in
tend to make just that statement.
Whether he did or did not, l am
perfectly willing he should change
it.
In another part of the Governors
statement. he draws Il picture of
how Maine may give away and
eventually lose our water powers.
Strange as it may seem, l can see
the same cloud, but from different
view point. Owing to the policy
that has been followed in the past
few years, or lack of policy, q policy
that has not and will not accom-
plish anything, and while we have
been haggling over this question of
ownership of the water powers
which. l understand is already well
settled as far as the laws of the
state are concerned. l can see from
my view point where our water
powers will be wasted by keeping
capital out of the state which would
naturally come here, provided our
policy was right and settled, and
that some of our present water
wheels will be idle on account OF
this very lack of policy. / think
can further see where the Federal
Government may step in and will
say to us that we have neglected our
opportunities and that 1t will take
over the management of the water
powers and see that they are
properly managed and may carry
the power outside the State of
Maine. The foundation for this ac-
ton on the part of the Federal
Government may already be seen
in the present federal water power
legislation.
| live within ten miles of the
Town of Norway and twelve miles
of the Town of Paris, two live,
active, Oxford County villages. 1
can picture in my mind these two
thriving villages united as one and
the coming Of thriving town or
city. A group of Norway and Paris
people, with perhaps out side capital,
could see where they could start an
industry to. develop those two towns
into small city. In order to do
and acquire a franchise from the
state. Whether they ask for A
franchise for the development of
water powers within reach of these
two towns, or for anything else, I
am In favor Of giving 1t to them
under the restrictions which are all
ready the settled policy of the state.
do you as Changers, want to go on
record to deprive these towns or any
OF your towns Of such a privilege
for future development and growth F?
l am prompted to write this letter
FOR the reason that believe that a
great many people. especially among
me farmers, have been mis-led with
regard to the water power situation.
! believe that the water powers Of
Maine are a valuable asset which
should be developed to their utmost
capacity. believe that Maine
needs the water power DEVELOPMENT
as much as 1t needs the summer
travel or the farms. I believe that
the unsettled policy of the state and
the people who are behind 1t are a
nindrance to the development OF the
water powers and keep capital from
the state. all Of which in my opinion
Is wrong.
l certainly agree with the Cover
nor In his recommendation to the
people to think for themselves, and
In my judgment, that will be the
greatest help to them, to think for