Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-31

The State is granting charters to cor
porations can impose whatever condi-
tions it believes for the public inter-
est. The greater power that of Great
ing corporation, includes the lesser.
that of limiting its powers as TO the
territory it shall serve
Governor Baxter then discussed his
views on the development of State
owned water resources-that the State
wherever ii owns a water power or
water storage location should never
part with it, and that these sites
should be developed as rapidly as pos
sible either by the State itself, under
constitutional amendment. or by pri-
Nate corporations under lease from the
State Snd the governor spoke of the
water storage fight in the last Legisla-
ture.
Resolutions relating to water power
adopted by the grange in past years
were discussed by the governor.
FOR eight years I have appealed
10 the Changers of this State to
come out squarely and openly. i
know that the heart of the Grange
is sound on this issue, but some of
thoSe at its head. in my opinion.
have failed TO carry out the wishes
or the great majority of its men,
bers. Throughout this period. the
Grange has been held back, discus
sion has been stifled and its leader
mas been open in his support of the
corporation water power viewpoint.
rms shows how great Is the influ.
ence OF one aggressive man, either
Tor reaction or progress. Your re-
urlng master has been imbued with
the spirit OF private control of State
i owned natural resources. He has
suppressed the water power issue.
| ana mas stood against what I con-
sluer the public interest. The
orange IN Maine has been dominat-
ed by him. In this criticism of your
reuclnS master, l refer to his stand
on water powers. On most all other
public issues he and l are in accord
respect him as an able, strong and
public spirited citizen.
Inc Grange Water Power Resolu.
ton, Lewiston 1923
Inc recent action at the annual
meeting OF the Grange in Lewiston
was a lifting climax to Mr., William
!. Thompson's record. His last of
Hclal act was to place the Graz gers
OF MalAe IN what l consider a false
position.
The Following resolution was pre-
scented at the Lewiston Grange meet.
ing, December, 1923:
Whereas. the state of Maine
hoiuS many undeveloped water now.
er rights that bcfong to the peonle
% Malhc. be it therefore resolved
| that the Maine State Grange is on
$50. 20 Tree granting of any more
water power franchises in Name"
me purpose of the entirely sea.
SoiapIe and moderately expressed
rtSoiution was to save our people
from further exploitation and keen
tot 'iIeHt the public property they
i4oW own. those who favored il
cdllHeu that leases of water priyi-
ises ana not deeds hereafter must
w INSISTED upon. Your retiring
,n1Lo avoided the direct issue and
TAXED upon the "sacredness'' of
private property, never for -. mo
ihcht asking for protection of tho
peoples property, or the .neonle,s,
interests. In fact, l am creditahI,
informed that most of the Grangers
had LEFT the hall when the resoIn-
tlon was voted down.
In my opinion the Lewiston roc
olutlon is sound and represents the
sentiment OF the Changers of this
state, even though not Officially
accepted at your convention. 1t in
deed Is strange that the people who
nave most at stake should vote
doWn a resolution offered for their
projection. 1t this resolution could
nc honestly explained to the more
IMAM 4oo' POMONA and Subordinate
oranges or Maine, not 20 of them
put would give it their cordial en-
uorSehlent. Ii YOU lecturers of the
oranges were present when that nm
representative action was taken. T
nope you will do everything in your
power TO redeem the Grange during
the present year.
wish that ] might have been at
lewiston but, significantly, this wear
me governor was not invited. Had
bcen present the Grange never
would have defeated the resolution
without protest from me. but now
no doubt The next Legislature will
be told that the Changers of Maine
are eager 10 give away to private in
tcrcsts what few water resources
still belong to the people.
Regardless of some of their lend
ers anu advisers, the men and women
or the Maine Grange understand the
wafer power question,
Inc Grange Is Sound at Heart
! nave spoken of the retiring head
Oh t1e Grange. but want it under
stood that. in my opinion. the
Changers themselves are doing their
OWE thinking, and intend to make
thelr influence felt on the right side.
Il tHe subject of non transmission.
ana leases not deeds, could he mt
10 Il vote today in Maine, ninety out
OIL every one hundred voters would
uphold those policies. How are these
loyal citizens of the State to make
themselves heard? How can their
influence be effectively expressedo
You lecturers can arouse your peo-
PIE and lead them in this cause. You
should lie leaders, not trailers. You
gan place the Grange in the true
light and make the Grange view
point felt in the next Legislature
You can show the State that for
eight years the grangers have not
been properly represented on this-
issue. ''
90 Tot know the views of your
new Master, but | know the senti-
inent OF the Erangers and propose To
stand with them. You must not reiv
upon the city people on this question.
Tor often they are too much on.
crossed with their own affairs. do
too little thinking and are more
sWayed by prejudice and business
pressure than are the people in the
rural districts. And finally, YOU must
re careful not to rely upon the big
dally papers to lead you. for certain
OF them at times are subject to out
side influences.
Theodore Roosevelt
IN these remarks, I have spoken
REB Han n ~lA