Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-21
estimated, will bring in from this
source about $525,OOO.
Eav1n Looms

estimated, will bring in from this
source about $525,OOO.
Farm Loans
1.-THE Farm Lands Loan Commls.
sion, of which I am secretary, mad
on Dec. 81, 1924, loans outstanding
amounting to S12S,541. The oppor-
tunity for agricultural expansion IN
this State is almost limitless. With
the best lands in the west already
taken for farms and with the aver
age selling price of irrigated land
doubling from 1910 to 1920. trainers
will in time inevitably be brought TO
the farming sections of the east. Due
to the low price Of farm products
and to the large proportion Of the
tax burden on real estate, the farm
ing industry in this State is now
experiencing great difficulty In main
tanning itself. I believe the State
could make no better investment
than to continue to loan its trust
funds for the development of agri-
culture and l ii st that the Legis-
lature will make available additional
amounts for this purpose.
Traffic Bureau
'"There has been established an
unofficial bureau connected with the
office of the State Auditor called the
Traffic Bureau. Through the CO.
operation Of the Public Utilities
Commission we have had available
for the examination of freight bills
on goods delivered to the State, the
services of Frank ]. McArdle, q traf-
fic expert connected with that off ,e.
For the year ending. June 80, 1924,
the saving on freight bills paid by
the State has amounted to $5,07O.44
through this cooperative service.
The expense of the service has been
S1.214.66, leaving a net saving of 3d.
S55.7S.
'In addition to this direct saving
the Traffic Bureau has by other SUI
pefvision assisted the various State
departments in their dealings with
the railroads and such serXice has
been of material benefit to the State.
In one particular instance rate ad
justment resulted in yearly saving
of $4,000.
Use Of Surplus Materials
Il am of the opinion that surplus
materials at the several State institu-
lions could be exchanged under GER
tain restrictions and regulations. so
that many articles that cannot be
used at one institution, might be
available for another The exchange
Of information about such supplies
is being encouraged and has already
resulted in making goods not other
wise susceptible Of use available in
places where they are needed. This
work will be extended during the two
coming years, under direction of the
State Of Maine Purchasing Agents
Association. in conjunction with this
department.
State Hospitals
"The financial affairs Of the Angus
Ia State Hospital are in excellent
patient has been slightly reduced and
is now s496 per week. There has
been an increase of % patients at
this institution in the past year.
At the Bangor State Hospital reno
vations and renewals of importance
have taken place in the last year.
Tho mems ward at this institution is
overcrowded. With a maximum ca
pacity OF 655 it has III. The farm
there shows a gain of $500 for the
year.
THE Maine School for Feeble
Minded. at Pownal. is we'll managed.
This institution last year produced
more food on its farm than it pur-
chased. really notable achievement.
State Reformators for Women, Skow.
hogan
"The population Of this institution
on July LIST was 102. An additional
story has been built upon the main
brick structure. under an appropria-
ton made by the last Legislature.
The farm at this institution is maxi
ing fine showing. the gain in the
n n n iv,r hnnv1 al coSn0
At the State School for Girls. Hal
lowell. an unusual condition resulted
in an alarming spread Of contagious
disease made necessary during the
past year an overdraft of their ap-
preparations Of $S023.44. The trus-
tees and officers are making efforts
to correct this situation and 1t is
hoped that there may be no recur-
renee of it.
Sanatoriums for the Tubercular
THE Central Maine Sanatorium at
Fairfield cares for around 140 pa
TENTS at per capita cost of $19.56.
and during the past year has been
improved by the addition of up-to-
date fire protection, tank and hyd-
rants at cost Of over $4,000. Fur
Their installation Of a sprinkler sys-
tenn would reduce the fire hazard to
Il liiiiiiiluIil DIS We'll as Cost OF III
surance.
Maine State Prison, Thomaston
Manufacturing has been resumed
at the Prison after the disastrous
fire Of Sept. Is. 1923. Under an
emergency order Of the Governor and
Council the buildings were rebuilt
and paid for from the State Contin-
gent Fund at cost of $780, 1926.
hn nv, nf No C,.1
$96.346. Since Oct. l, 1924 the in
come Of the Prison has been retained
there and used to pay prisoners. To
this | objected. as there is no statu-
tory authority for paying prisoners
at Thomaston. The Governor and
Council. however, directed that the
money be so withheld and s3,314S5
has been paid to prisoners there in
the months of October and Novem-
her without my approval. / have TAX
en- the ground that this matter should
have been authorized by the Legis-
lature rather than by the Governor
and Council and the Prison Commits"
sion.
University Of Maine
This institution is in far better
condition as to finances and plant
than 1t was two years ago. Repairs
and equipment costing over s115.50O
were made in the year ending Jan.
80. 1924, $4,000 being from the spec
ial State appropriation for the pur-
pose of putting the buildings in con-
dition, and $4,000 is available for
continuing this work the coming
year. The deficiency in the last two
years was likewise reduced s20,207.-
Al and $46.609.47 respectively. ex-
elusive Of the Experiment Station