Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-13

what indefinite character have been
leveled as to certain messages that
have been received.
interested citizens are always told
by the executive department that
their proper course is to present their
views on public policy to the repre-
sentatives and senator's from their
part of the state. During the past
week perhaps a half dozen such
statements have been made. Any
other representations are unquali-
fledly false. The propriety of such
statement has always been taken
as a matter of course by governors
since Maine began.
1.-THE one whose name has been
most prominently mentioned in con-
nection with newspaper so called
! stories in regard to this affair has
not been in communication with the
executive department in recent days.
For the past year however he has
had as his personal counsel that
member of the legislature who has
beer most conspicuous in activities
that might seem calculated to create
a breach between the legislative and
executive departments of the state.
! Within the past month this member
oi the legislature has taken up with
the executive personal matters on be-
half of this much advertised citizen
of our state.
| No imp opriety in this action is
intimated nor any responsibility by
the legislator for any action of his
client curing this past week but it
is not fair to attribute responsibility
to the executive department for
whatever course he may have pursu-
ed
I'm assuming the administration
Of the affairs of the state, both the
| legislature and executive depart
ments were confronted by deficit cf
100000 in current obligations of the
state. In addition there was a de-
cline in revenues of 100000 from the
railroads without any change in the
existing plan. Here was a total Of
100000 to be met by the taxpayers
without any escape. This burden
has been assumed and by the strict
est economy in appropriations this
legislature will be able to keep the
state tax at the same rate as has ex-
listed for the past two years.
1.-THE proposed new system of tax
alton however will cut our revenue
must mean a state tax of .0075-an
increase for 1926 of one half mill
above the previously existing rate.
Meanwhile during the first two
months of the present year the chief
road of this state showed an increase
in its earnings at the rate of 100000
a year.
ITO relieve the railroads whose
earnings are steadily mounting and
lay the burden upon the farms and
the homes of Maine does not seem
TO me warranted by the conditions
! that exist"
Debate Follows Veto Message
In the debate following the read
ing Of the veto message Rep. Curtis
of Brewer, member of the committee
on taxation, said that the matter had
been given full hearing and due con-
thought best to submit q unanimous
report ought to pass" for the best
interests of the State.
Il think there is a misrepresentation
as to when the tax will ltake effect"
said Mr.. Curtis. Il think some be-
lieve it will affect both years. 1t will
not affect this years tax. l want to
go on record personally that I was
never unduly Influenced, and that ! am
operating on the level. and that / do
not think any member was unduly in
fiuenced. For that reason I shall vote
to sustain the bill"
Rep. Leland of Sangerville said the
bill as reported was not the act as
introduced; that the original bill called
for a substantial reduction in the tax,
but that the bill as passed simply rec
ognized in the simplest degree the
need of relief and that the least sum
involved was granted the railroad
Rep. Greenleaf Of Auburn said
that the railroads will have more
competition in the next two years.
Between Portland and Boston it is
reported that there will be from
to 10 bus lines operating. Bus lines
and truck lines are sprinSing up all
over the State.
1t has been shown that the rail-
roads have been gaining in earnings.
l am glad that they have for they
will need 1t to meet this COMPETE
tion," he said.
IF ever there was a case of mis-
management there was none more
fragrant than that in the case of the
New York and New Haven Railroad.
With no way 10 retire s23.000,000 in
bonds when they came due, and with
the stock selling as low as $12.14 Ia,
the road issued bonds to the amount
of $25,0O0,000, selling it to the people
served by the road"
Rep. Greenleaf of Auburn conclud-
ed his remarks by urging the House
not to take a punch at the Maine
Central.
Rep. Foster Of Ellsworth, a mem
Der of the finance committee, told
the House that there had been sew
ersl conferences with the Governor
and chairmen of other committees
to consider the financial condition Of
the State. At the last conference,
with about 80 men present. it had
been shown that there would be a
lack of about $155,000 less revenue,
without thinking Of this railroad tax
change. At that time the Governor
had felt that they could go through
with Z mill tax rate. How" said
Mr.. Foster. "he comes to US this
morning and says that it will have
to be IL mills. There is something
wrong somewhere; our condition is
just the same today as it was last
Thursday"
On the vote, as stated above, the
two thirds necessary in the House
to override the Governors veto was
not secured. II votes being recorded
in defense of the Governor, and IA
against.
Senator HinckIey Defends Himself
The Governors veto message on
the steam railroad tax bill on Satur-
day morning gave legislators and
scores of visitors a few thrilling mo-
ments, the first naturally tense mo-
ment of a veto announcement, next
in the reference in the Executives
message to the activities of one Leg
islator in bringing to light authors
of the barrage of kilograms that be-
sieged the State House on Thursday
and Friday, finally the response to