Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-07
Want Hospital Build.
ings Even If State
Tax Rate Is More
Than 7 Mills
Opening Gun of Battle at Even
inc Session When Resolve on
Nurses Home at Augusta is
Tabled Until Today - Old
Age Pension Bill is Postpon-
ed-Like Fate for Intangible
Bill - Road Bond Issue
Tabled
ESTABLISHED 1925

A red-hot fight in the House of
Representatives today on the issue
of a State tax rate of seven mills or
new construction for State hospi-
tails, was indicated by spirited de-
bate on the question Monday even-
ing. when the lower branch tabled
the resolve providing for the con-
struction of nurses home at tie
Augusta State hospital. for consider
Z alton on Tuesday morning.
It was very evident in the debate
that group of the Representatives
are not in favor of holding the
State tax rate for the next two years
down to seven mills, il it is at the
expense of the States institutions.
And the question is to be threshed
out by the Solons of the lower
branch this morning.
The tabling of the resolve was
upon motion of Representative Eos
ter of Ellsworth. after similar
motion by Representative Wing of
Auburn had been defeated 43 to 81.
After falling to sustain Mr.. Wing
on that motion, the House was ask
ed by Mr.. Wing to indefinitely post
none the resolve. He took the atti-
tude that the State should first pro-
vide for the patients and later for
the help. Conditions at both the
Bangor and Augusta hospitals were
deplorable, he said.
Representatives Forham and
Cummings of Portland both said
they felt Mr.. Wing was acting under
I misapprehension; that the home
would provide extra room for pa
tents In the hospital, since that
Space was now taken up with ac-
comOdations for nurses.
: - representative Peaslee of Bath
sxreed that conditions at both State
hespitals were deplorable. But we
don't know how soon one of us may
have to 60 to one of these institu-
TONS" he said. Am / overstating It
III say that out Of these $50 men
one may have to go within two
years, do not think so. am saying
this to men who might laugh at 1t.
yet there have been stranger cases
than this. The hospitals are ABOUT
It the point where they must re-
fuse to take any more patients.
DR.. Peaslee said the House had
fought and fought over different
measures and finally passed the
Maher bill; that it had voted the
publicity resolve without dissent but
had refused to build a wing for the
hospital; that it was ready to go
ahead and broadcast the beauties OF
Maine and what 1t was doing for It's
institutions.
He referred to the remarks of the
Rev. Royal S. Brown of Biddeforo
On Sunday last, to the effect that TINS
legislature had not passed one DIT
Of constructive legislation. DR.. Peas
lee deplored the effort to keep the
tax rate at exactly seven mills: we
would all die if it were Z Ia" he
mid.
For heavens sake let's take care
Of our institutions" concluded LIT.
Peasee, amid applause.
I'VE cannot care for any new con-
struction II we are to keep q seven
mill tax rate" declared Representa-
tive Foster of Ellsworth. I believe
the bill should be tabled until We
~ the Governor and see II ne Will
stand for it,
Il never voted for any seven-mlii
tax rate. said in the conference
that was in favor of as low tax
rate as we can have and make pro-.
visions for the necessities of Maine.
aid Representative Cummings Oh
Portland with considerable feeling.
1t makes no difference 10 "e
whether the Governor wants 1t or
not" declared Mr.. Cummings. we
have a Governor and not a king. the
legislature has the right to make
appropriations, I am not afraid 70
70 home and ! do not want 10 DC
unnamed to go home"
On motion of Representative fos-
Nr the resolve for the nurses nome
u the Augusta State hospital was
+ 0oled and especially assigned LOT
tuesday morning.
Postpone Old Aage Pension Bill
hep. Thompson Of Rockland TOOK
nom the table the act relating TO
ssslstance for aged persons under
~rtain conditions and moved its IN
ssnnlte postponement. After some
seoate on the matter the House. by
'ote Of 81 to 40 carried the motion
Rep. Thompson.
me House insisted on its action IN
suennitely postponing the bill 10
Mouoe for retirement compensation
ueasurers and assistant tr7asur-
OF savings banks. Rep. Cakes
'eontinued on Page 3-Co'. 81