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

! of the inclosure essential to this de-
velopment and yet this Legislature
in the act that it is proposed for you
to pass would grant to an Interna-
tional Joint Commission with which
Maine is III no way directly con-
cerned the sole power to allocate the
resultant electricity between New
Brunswick and the State of Maine.
Such a surrender of our property
and our sovereignty is not in ac
cordance with Yankee thrift.
It the international Joint Com
mission has this regulatory power
We shall necessarily comply with
their decree but their right should
not be based -pon our voluntary
grant. Such Il supine surrender of
our powers was not the mandate
that sent us here. However, one
consideration alone in this project,
for this overwhelmingly Republican
Legislature would seem to suffice.
The proposed charter grants a
practically unlimited right of export
OF Names share of the hydro cleo
trio power that is to result.
The Republican platform upon
which We were elected states in no
uncertain terms:
1--WE recognize that the established
policy of this State is to retain
Names hydro electric energy within
the State for the use of our people
and our industries"
There is no equivocation in that
declaration. The policy and it's i'm
plications are entirely clear. We are
dealing with the greatest power de-
Velopment ever proposed within our
State and are to inaugurate a policy
OF expectation in the haste of these
closing days in clear violation of
that considered party pledge. Sucf,
Is not the example of honesty of
Lincoln and Coolidge whose leader
ship we are proud to claim. With
what confidence could the people
ever again entrust us with power If
within three months of taking office
we had thus proved recreant to our
trust?
1t is urged that tidal power is not
hydro electric power, but Webster's
lnter4 tiOnal Dictionary does not
bear out Ibis view. Whether a
change in our policy in this regard
| may be wise, the future alone can
determine. The temperate discus
sion of such a possibility will be
welcomed by every citizen of our
State. For fifteen years, however, II
has been settled policy that hydro
| electric power generated within our
bounds should not be permitted to be
sent out. 1t will not be well for us
| to inaugurate a change in this policy
on such insufficient consideration as
this has received and on behalf OF
what many contend is merely a
| phantom grant.
| 1t Is often suggested that Maine
Is stagnating in power development
as result of this policy which we
| have pursued. Much is said
Of the great undeveloped water
! powers existing within the State OF
| Maine. We are never told by these
critics that according 20 the last re-
| port of the Maine Water Power
| Commission. Maine stood fourth ir
| the United States today in the
| amount of hydro electric power de.
veloped within our bounds: exceed.
ed only by Washington, which a,
/ that time was in third place by 6
scant margin. and by California
and New York which alone have {
, substantial lead.
The picture of Maine as a power
HlGtioH lOI the liluuSlTldI u6NelOp'
ment of other states has never i'm
| pressed itself upon the mind o
+ Maine. If hydro electric power il
such a trivial factor in industrial de
Velopment, why is anyone so mCcl
concerned IN its transmission TO
! hundreds miles beyond ou
bounds? Our hydro electric power
possibilities, transcendinS those o
practically all our sister states. seen
TO the industrialists among ou
neiGhbors to be exactly in the posi-
ton of the "sour grapes" TheS,
| powers are, they tell us, of no us,
to ourselves, hut of very great i'm
! portance to them. even with the sac
/ riiice involved in transmitting thi!
power TO industrial centers hun
dreds of miles away.
II is regrettabie that the consider
alton of these questions could no
come earlier in the session whe,
the pressure was materially less
/ The Provincial report upon tn,
/ Grand Falls development. however
was only made upon February 4th
and it has taken some time to Sc
cure fun information and digest TIL,
i possibilities tha1 We're involved. Thi
accounts for the delay in presenIa
ton to YOU of one of the most Sc
rious questions with which Main'
Legislature has been faced in re
cent years. 1t is not to be doubted
that YOU will approach it with al
eve single to the interests Of ou
state. mindful of our great herita g,
and Of the traditions of three cen
turtles of sturdy pioneers upon which
II is based. (Applause, the audienc,
risingDD
The Governor and Council then re
tired.
The purpose for which the Con
vention wa: assembled having beer
] accomplished, the Convention wa'
J dissolved and the Senate retired t
! the Senate Chamber, amid the ap
| plause Of the House.