Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-02

Ieb5, thurs until may7
recommendation is based upon the
opinion of the Attorney General, the
constitutional officer selected by you
to advise the Executive and Legisla
tive Departments in matters of law.
By him we will be warranted in be-
ing guided when lawyers disagree.
Whether we may so further in
these regions and limit or regulate
| in any way the development OF stor
age basins not requiring the exercise
| OF the power OF eminent domain is a
| question for most serious consider
| alton before you shall return to
! your several homes. The natural
/ flow of this stream is the right of
riparian owners and it would seem
| might properly be asserted by the
sovereignty as well.
| The suggestion that the present
| movement il only transitory, and
that a change in government in the
| Province of New Brunswick may end
! for the present the development of
| this project along our northern
| bounds is not an answer to the diff
| ticulty With which we are faced. 1t
| is our plain duty now to provide
! proper protection whenever such Il
/ contingency shall hereafter arise. In
| the future of electrical development
Grand Falls will assurediy come into
! its own, and then it will be of SUI
! preme Importance that ali the power
| and authority Of the State of Maine
! is organized to deal advantageously
with the situation that shall arise.
In consideration OF this question
we are ever mindful of our Federal
form of government and purpose to
| encroachment upon the proper con-
Germs of the United States. We may
| confidently rely upon a most jealous
regard for our interests by the con-
stituted authorities dealing with this
problem for the union of which we
| are but a part.
| 1t is, therefore, of the more i'm
portance that we shall not ourselves
seem neglectful of the interests that
we are here TO serve. The United
States OF America cannot guard our
birthright II we shall permit it to be
exploited through loop-holes or
COMMISSIONS in our existing laws.
A memorial To the Secretary of
State of the United States by this
Legislature declaring our conception
of our rights and the very important
and far reaching interests that are
at stake would seem an appropriate
and helpful act on your part at this
| time.
Placing of another citizen of the
United States and. if long standing
custom is followed, citizen of the
| State of Maine, upon the Internal
tional Joint Commission without de-
lay would seem a proper subject for
immediate representation by us to
the President OF the United States.
Hydro { ectric Power in PasSama-
quoddy Bay
4 somewhat different situation is
presented in the proposed develop
ment along the international bound
airy in PassamaquoddY Bay, where a
charter is asked of this Legislature
for the development of hydro cleo
trio power generated by the tides.
The apport!Unment Of this power as
! between the State of Maine and the
Province of New Brunswick seems
Of the very greatest importance in
| volVing as it does, according to its
promoters. several hundred thousand
electrical horsepower from the dams
that will be built. This opportion-
ment, in my judgement, should be
determined by the legislature rather
| than by any other body within our
state. The opinion has been very
commonly expressed that this pro-
iect was Il phantom of the magma
ton and apparently its passage is
facilitated by consideration Of this
sort. None of those responsible for
the great electrical developments
within our state have considered
this project as practicable at the
present stage of development of hy-
dro- electric power.
Many citizens OF our state. how
ever. earnestly and honestly believe
in this project as feasible at this
time. 1t would seem to he better to
consider the situation from their
viewpoint in determining the action
Of the state.
Franchises have been very freely
granted in Maine for the develop
ment of hydro electric projects. but
these-aimost without exception
have been granted to men having
very large investments within the
State of Maine and amply able To
carry out their undertakings.
The one proposing this develop
ment frankly states that the secur-
ing of responsible financial backing
, must wait upon our grant. 1t seems
to me that there is Il clear distinc-
ton between a grant to interests
prepared for development within a
reasonable time and to others who
must seek bankers for the projects
that they propose.
The customary procedure is for
responsible interests to consider u
project and then ask a limited grant
| of rights from the State with Sc
| rious intention of going forward as
rapidly as the obstacles are cleared
from the way. Any other procedure
seems to place the cart before the
horse. With a valuable piece of
property we would not think of Civ
ing ten-year option upon it's dis
position upon terms and subject to
profits which our grantee might stip-
ulate in arranging any sale.
Business prudence would require
that responsible backing should be
secured as u condition precedent to
grant of rights by the State of
Maine. This is the orderly method OF
procedure and no obstacles Will be
placed in the way.
Any such project should involve
careful negotiations between the
! Provincial and Dominion Govern
ments and the Federal and State
| Governments involved in the United
! States as to the ALLEGATION of rights
and obligations under the project
that is proposed. Such decent con-
sideration will not hinder, but rather
| advance the end of development
| which we all like to have in view.
| Reference of such q question to the
| Public Utilities Commission for in
vestigation and report or to such a
i Commission as you might constitute
| idly and wisely in this direction as
CO.