Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-07-30
REFERENDUM QUESTIONS FOR
SEPTEMBER ELECTION

submitted to Maine taxpayers for
vote by referendum on September
IA of this year, are worthy of study
and doubtless have been given con-
siderable study by those who care
fully followed the proceedings of the
last Legislature.
Two of the questions relate to
highways and bridges, the first be-
ing an amendment to the Constitu-
tion Of Maine authorizing the is
suing Of bonds to be used for the
purpose of building bridge across
the Kennebec river between the
City of Bath and the town of Wool
wich. This resolve authorizes the
issuing of additional bonds Of Maine
not exceeding $3000,000 at any one
time, payable within 81 years at a
rate of interest not exceeding four
per cent per annum, payable semi
annually, which bonds or their pro-
ceeds shall be devoted enti ely to
the building of a railroad and high
way combination bridge across the
Keilncbec as described.
The Solons of the SIND Legisla-
ture heard considerable regarding
the relative merits of Bath and
Richmond as the site of a bridge
across the Kennebec. they viewed
plans, held hearings and went on a
specially conducted tour to look
over the sites as proposed. Their
vote indicated their belief that the
greater present need for a bridge is
at Bath. Since the adjournment Of
the Legislature comparatively little
has been said about the Bath bridge
project, its promoters apparently
resting easy in their faith that the
Maine voters will act favorably on
the proposed amendment, as un-
doubtedly they will.
The voters are next asked to pass
judgment on proposed amendment
to the Constitution permitting the
issuing of additional bonds for the
construction of roads and bridges,
with the limitation that at no time
shall the bonds outstanding exceed
a total of s16,Ooo,O0O. The present
limitation on the issue of highway
and bridge bonds is $10,000,000,
which amount has about been ex-
pended, and in order that there may
be no halt in the construction work
authority is sought to issue S6,000,-
900 more bonds, to be equally di-
vided between bridges and high
ways. The granting of authority to
issue bonds is absolutely necessary
in order to carry on bridge con-
struction as the Legislature left no
other means; in the matter of the
highways, a portion of the gasoline
tax receipts is to be devoted to
construction and to this will be ad-
ded the proceeds from the bonds as
they are issued, providing the voters
approve of the amendment.
1t is easy to assume that vote
for good roads and bridges will
carry the day next September.
The third question placed before
the voters concerns the plan for
harnessing the tides cf the Bay of
Fupdy. This comes before the voter
because a referendum provision n was
attached by the Legislature to an
act authorizing Dexter P. Cooper
and his associates to form a cor
poration to supply and sell elec-
tricity. and to erect dams at points
in Passamaquoddy and Cobscook
bays, which open into the waters
of the Bay of Fundy. Joint action
by Canada and the United States
would be needed before the work of
financing and building this inter-
national project could be under
taken.
Provision is made in the act that
inasmuch as the waters are inter-
national. Dexter P. Cooper, Inc,
shall not exercise the power or
right conferred by this act, until the
International Joint Commission shall
make such ALLEGATION Of power, gen.
Grated by these tides, in accordance
with treaty conditions and other
considerations.
1t is specified that such power as
Is allocated to "the State of Maine
or the United States" may be sold
outside Maine in amounts as de-
termined by the Public Utilities
Commission with due regard for the
demand for power within the State.
Yet the measure involves only to a
very limited extent the old question
regarding Names policy of keep
ing within its borders all of the
electric power developed here. Many
voters will sanction this measure
and yet hold fast to the belief that
electricity generated on Maine rivers
should be for Maine people and in
dustries, noting with Governor
Baxter the distinction between
electricity generated by the tides on
international waters and power gen.
Grated on intrastate rivers. It is
generally predicted that this ques-
tlon along with the two others sub
mltted. will be passed by the voters.