Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-09

and Of the Federal water-power policy,
developed under the leadership of Pres
ident Roosevelt in recent years. leads
me to the very strong conviction that
1T is the part of simple prudence for
our postcrity to make long term leases
rather than sales Of the rights that we
possess. These leases may contain
adequate provision for the protection
of the capital investments that will be
involved. with an assurance Of reason
able return under conditions existing
in our day, leaving to future genera
tons the determination of the policy
that they will adopt in dealing with
the vast natural resources bestowed
upon us with such a prodigal hand.
The hazard incident to developments
in the early days very likely required
great stakes as the price. In our day
the prospects are far more stable and
may reasonably be placed upon strict
er terms. which shall yet protect pri-
waite enterprise in reasonable profits
upon its undertakings IN so far as the
property Of the State lie concerned.
The Dead River Storage Bill illus
trated the considered opinion of men
holding diverse points of view as to Il
policy that was wise in so far as both
the State and the power interests of
Maine were concerned. There has
seemed to me no occasion to doubt the
wisdom of the solution that was there
found for one of the most acute pro-
blems with which we were then con-
fronted. This bill was modelled upon
the Federal Water Power Act as ap-
piled to conditions existing in the
careful investigation of citizens seri-
ously interested in power or storage
development within our state.
Resources
California and Florida have shown
in recent years that material develop
ment flows from visitors within their
midst. They have attracted visitors
without limit by reason of their re-
creational advantages and have then
persuaded great numbers Of these Wis
itors to remain. Other communities
have demonstrated the same lesson in
lesser ways. There is very much to
lead us to the conclusion that Maine
may profit by the example that they
have set. as our recreational oppor-
tunities in summer are unique, and the
possibilities of development of our
winter attractions are only beginning
70 be realized, while in spring and fall
our hard-surfaccd roads have made
almost all sections of our state aces
sble with the va1 d attractions they
We have heard constantly of Cali
fornia as great recreational state,
but during the decade when it was ad-
vertising itself to the world as play
ground it increased it's industrial pro-
duction by more than $1.500,000 600
per annunl: Florida is doing exactly
and has doubled it's agricultural pro-
duction in the past five years while it
was displaying its attractions as a
great vacation state by stimulating
and abroad through the National ad-
vcrtising 1t has received. With q SIM
liar Yankee thrift we may bring people
to our midst and persuade them to re-
main, as We convince them of the at
fractions of Maine throughout the
year.
We believe that our agriculture and
our industries merit the fullest inves-
tigation, and consideration of them
may be gained from numberless WISH
tors of almost unlimited means If we
shall bring them to our midst by prop
crly stimulating the already tremen-
dous traffic that We enjoy. The direct
returns from our visitors now aggre-
gate in excess Of fifty million dollars
Il year from over seven hundred thou
sand people. 1t is the opinion of all
competent observers familiar with the
advantages here and elsewhere that
this traffic may be enormously in
creased by rather simple lessons that
lie at our door,
Proper information regarding our
resources and attractions may wisely
be compiled and published by the State
as one Of the most elementary contri-
!
within our midst. The compiling of
such information could easily be done
by departments existing here in the
State House at the present time and
the expense of its publications should
be moderate, and could we'll be de-
frayed from the proceeds of a tax lew
led upon the signboardS of our State
which would at the same time restrict
add regulate their location and provide
a fund for telling the story of Maine.
| Thi2 would prevent burden nnOn
our general tax revenues for this pur-
pose. Funds for advertising and other
publicity it would seem we'll not to
take from the treasury Of our State.
Appropriations could more wisely be
handled by agencies expressly devoted
to this end in proper cooperation with
other private agencies already existing
in our State. The creation of addi-
tional bureaus under the control of
your present Chief Executive is not n
course that he commends. 1t would
also be useless to advertise our State
unless service was to be given when
cur prospective investors should ar
rive land this reception must neceSsari-
ly be accorded by the communities all
over our State to which these visitors
will go. attracted by their charms.
1t is the thought of many interested
in this matter accordingly that the va
rious communities of our State, under
the authorization of the legislature
wisely provided in our statutes some
years ago, may in their several tow
meetings and city government meet
ings appropriate funds within certain
limits as they may deem wise for pub
licity regarding the State of Maine.
Appropriate activities could be car
ried on under the direction of such
agency as the several towns and cit
les participating shall create for this
purpose. All such funds could thus be
used exclusively for publicity regard
ing the attractions and resources Of
the State of Maine.
The various agencies already exist
ing in our State, in agricultural asso-
Citations. Chambers of Commerce and
other similar civic organizations such
as the Maine Publicity Bureau could
then supplement with service the trait
fic that should result by distributing
broadcast to all inquirers the litera-
ture compiled and furnished freely by
the State of Maine. The State would
be relieved of the purden OF distribu-
ton, simply furnishing appropriate ln-
erature to all who might apply, and
listing the agencies of semi-public
nature that would be glad to follow up
with more detailed information the
possibilities that were thus displayed.
Honest Elections
Certain incidents of this past year
have brought home very clearly to
our people the Indifference that
would be generated in our electorate
by the thought that elections Were
not honestly carried on. AS result
of the confusion created by the de-
bauchery of the ballot box. and by an
over generous participation of MEM
bers. of one party in the primary of
another a very regrettable situation
arose. Those citizens who have OPP
posed the direct primary almost from
it's inception, some honestly and some
selfishly, Immediately seized upon the
situation to advance their cause.
Both party platforms two years ago
declared for O referendum upon the
primary law. My exception to that
| PROPOSAL as a delegate and a candi-