Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-05-06
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1925.


1.-THE Power Company Valuation.
The figures of the power company
valuation as published in The
American last week, have evidently
proved of interest to many taXpay-
ers, Judging from the comment we
have heard. One large taxpayer
voiced the sentiments of many when
he said ''The courts have declared
the power company responsible for a
large part of the flood damage, but
the taxpayers of Ellsworth are gong
TO pay the damages.
The power company, in l920. PAID
tax on valuation of $S14,473 with
out a protest. Since then, it has sold
a water company with valuation on
the city books of SIS, 900, and added
a new storage dam at an expenditure
of S183 900 And yet this year 1t
will be assessed on a valuation of
$6S7, 500, or $156,973 less than in
1920. Add the water company valu-
alton TO that of the power company,
and il will be seen that the city
realizes. in valuation, $S1,973 less
than nothing from the big new stor-
age dam, to say nothing of additions
at the power station.
In view of the steadily advancing
valuations on other property in the
city during the same period, and the
probability, amounting almost to Ger
tainty, that there will be further
large increases this year, is it any
wonder that the taxpayers are sitting
up and taking notice? Either the
power company was outrageOusly
c
Something rotten in Denmark.
We do not presume to be com
petent to say what the real valuation
of the power company property IN
Ellsworth is. With all due respect
to the city assessors, we do not be-
lieve they are But the matter Is
one of such vital importance to the
taxpayers of Ellsworth that the as
SCISSORS and city government should
have welcomed, rather than lodged,
the opportunity to ascertain through
the courts where the right lies
Those Anti-Primary Petitions.
Governor Brewster has stirred up
another little tempest by starting an
investigation of the petitions for
referendum on the direct primary
law. Twelve thousand signatures
are required Some 1880 were af-
fixed to the petitions. Governor
Brewster caused postal cards to be
sent to all these signers, to deter
mine If the names and addresses were
of bona fide voters. 1t is reported
that returns from one-fourth Of these
showed that more than 900 have
stated that they did not sign the
petitions on which their names APP
peared, and more than 100 cards have
been returned with the postoffice in
formation that no such party is at
the address given.
This report, if true, would indicate
that the investigation is justified by
facts, but the tempest revolves about
the question whether it is justified by
law On the one hand is the claim
that the governor is acting entirely
in accordance with law and pre-
cedent; on the other, that he is ex-
ceeding his authority-that this is
an initiated measure and the petitions
are addressed to the legislature,
which alone has authority to de-
termine the validity of the signatures,
and not the governor, as provided IN
the case of 81 referendum.
If the suspicion that an attempt
has been made to put this thing over
by fraud appears we'll founded, the
LEGISLATURE cannot we'll refuse to
hear the evidence. But, even if the
legislature should not act, and the
governor be powerless to stay the
OF io Of
evidence of fraud is sure to extin-
guish the faint CLEAN of hope the
politicians had to kill the primary
law, and the governor Will be
thanked for disclosing the fraud
Ellsworth has a handsome new
high school building In front of it,
sloping in graceful grade to State
street, is a lawn Of green velvet, the
pride of Janitor Grindle and the adj
miration of all. Back of the school
building is a large area, eventually
destined for an athletic field, but to-
day rough and uneven An athletic
field some day" Why not now?
That is the call that has gone up from
the high school, and Principal Aber-
nethy is leading the yell. In another
column will be found the outline of
plan to invite public contribution of
labor. teams and trucks for a big field
day, much on the plan Of the good
road days" to start the grading work
on the athletic field 1t is hoped the
response will be generous, and that
big "chore" will be done on the
school grounds
The United States Senate thought
the matter closed, when it had
spanked Vice-President Dawes for
offending its dignity in his inaugural
speech. He was simply calling at
tention to antiquated methods which
delay important legislation and give
one man or gromn Of men the power