Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-07
the Legislature one way or the 9th
er.
1akinu Land for Railroad Uses

akIng Land TOR haIiroao uses
Henry Hart, representing the Ban
gor e. Aroostook railroad, explained
to the committee a bill relating to the
taking of land by eminent domain
for the uses of railroad. The bill
authorized the public utilities COM
mission to grant permission to eXer-
else such authority where in its
judgment it was necessary for the
maintenance and operation of the
road. Mr.. Hart said that this was to
enable railroad to take land, if nee
essary, on which to erect dwellings
for its employees. 1t was frequently
necessary on their road to establish
a section or a section crew in the
heart of the woods. Unless they could
purchase land from owners, which
was usually difficult. they must build
on the railroad right of way. This
was dangerous, for it brought the
children of the men too close to the
tracks.
In a long drawn discussion with
Senator Hinckley, he said that I'M
der the law the commission could on
ly authorize them to take land for
the purpose of aligning their tracks.
Senator Hinckley suggested that
under the provisions Of the statute
under consideration it would be pos
sible for the utilities commission to
authorize the taking of a water po-
wer if the railroad saw fit to electro
fy it's line. Mr.. Hart agreed and
thought it would be a proper prOce-
dure. but Senator Hinckley shook his
head He wasn't sure Of it.
who was the judge of necessity
before we had a public utilities COM
mission?" asked Senator Maher.
THE railroads." answered Mr..
Hart.
And YOU are now asking that the
body, the creation of which took away
your power, be granted authority to
help keep you going" said Senator
Maher.
Exactly" replied Mr.. Hart.
Mr.. Hart tried to impress upon the
town authorities, the board of health,
the State Highway Commission or
any other agency except railroad
to move dwelling houses. if the pub
lie health or safety demands it. 'The
only thing I want to do" he said, "is
to make the law consistent"
Bill for Compulsory Voting
Nobody appeared to favor or OPP
pose a resolve proposing an amend
ment to the Constitution providing
authority to the legislature to re-
quire compulsory voting. 1.-The COM
mittee will report ought not to pass
in any event." said Chairman Hinck-
ley.
ltinerant Vendors
Representative George r. Fuller
of Southwest Harbor was the only
person to appear for an act relating
to itinerant vendors. He explained
that the law was designed to require
licensing of those persons who travel
about the towns selling vegetables.
fish. fruit and other produce from
carts. He believed they ought to pay
for the privilege Of doing business.
Bar Harbor Milk Inspection
William f. Peach of Bar Harbor.
who said he had been in the milk
business for 80 years. appeared for
a measure which would remove The
Bar Harbor milk inspector II he fails
to enforce the present law which re-
quires milkmen in that town to sell
milk only in bottles blown with their
names.
Mr.. Peach explained that he wants
to protect himself from men who
may gather up bottles stamped with
his name. fill them with inferior milk
and sell 1t apparently as his product.
Questioned by several members Of
the committee as to whether It
would not be better to repeal the
present law so that Bar Harbor
milkmen may use plain bottles, Mr..
Peach said It would not.