The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-02-07

its direct effect on the industries in
the Kennebec Valley. During thee
three weeks forced idleness was al
too apparent. in one mill alone 37G
was the average .lay-off' during the
greater part Of October, and the
smaller plants dependent upon sec
ondary power from the public utility
stations doubtless shut down to the
extent Of laying of 80 ~ 200 en-
ployees. In the haif-dozen industrial
communities extending from Madison
to Augusta probably not less than
1000 wage-earDers. and possibly many
more, lost a month or more Of en-
ployment during the season Of 1929.
This direct loss OF time by the
workers is not the full measure Of the
loss to the state To make paper or
cloth under conditions like those Of
last September and October. when d
choice must be made between reduc-
ed output and the Use OF steam power.
means a higher cost Of production
and consequent greater difficulty il
meeting the competition Of mills out
side the state or the United States
We need 10 protect our Maine indus
tries by giving them reliable as well
as cheap water power.
Next, as 10 the remedy: What can
be done 70 maintain more regular
flow on the kennebec2 Nature has
furnished in the drainage basis Of tbs
river many ponds and lakes, which
serve as storage reservoirs free Of
cost, and sites for other reservoirs a.
h.f gpr.lfftitfrFc
would seem good public policy to en-
courage the creation OF such added
Storage in the near future in order
to insure full utilization Of the power
sites already developed and to stimuli
ate the occupation OF other sites.
Under the wise policy Of state reg
ulation Of public utility rates. what
ever is OF advantage 10 the power
company can become oil advantage to
the consumer, 50 that every economy
achieved by the seller OF energy can
be passed on 10 the buyer. This
public control and the remarkable mi
tiatiye of those WHO are managing the
electric utilities OF our country to-
gether explain how it happens that
electricity is the one item in the cost
of living that has come down since
1914 II would therefore have been
a public saving ii the Central Maine
Power Company for example. could in
any way have CIT down its quarter of
a million dollars Of steam expense
last year, exceptional a. that year
was. There is no doubt that head
water storage on the kenneDcc might
easily save hundred thousand dol
lars d year 10 this company. but, what
is more important. increased storage
there would Civ assurance OF unin-
terrupted work IL every operative in
the kennebec VALLEY an assurance
that you and | surely regard as OF
much greater value 10 the State than
the mere money value OF coal saved.
To the better class OF workmen moth
ing is more desirable than assured
continuity Of opportunity TO work
1T would seem that 4 dO-something
policy for storage reservoirs would be
simple enough. Encourage in every
way tine construction OF these reser-
yoirs. TO the end that larger use OF
the rivers flow may be made possible
If the State happens TO own any lands
suitable for a resers cir site or TO be
trustee for any such land. freely grant
to the company constructing the res
ervoir all necessary rights II will
take no ingenious plan to secure for
the State its adequate return from
every reservoir project-that return
is already provided for. The LIE
amount of money invested in new con-
structiOa will at once become a tax
able asset OF the corporation. any
economy effected through the ucp 0f