Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-04
activities have realized their hopes

During the past year the State Of
Maine has accumulated a surplus of
three-auarters of a million without
any increase in the State tax.
This happy situation Is due to a
very material extent to the prudent
provisions of the last Legislature and
to the voluntary adoption by DEPART
ment heads of the Federal budget
plan under which 10 percent of the
department appropriation Is carried
as a contingency reserve and the re-
manner is divided into four equal
parts and allocated for expenditure
to the four quarters of the year.
If conditions shall develop as ia
vorably during this coming year we
shall be able to do any necessary
new construction for our institutions
and at the same time make a re-
duction in taxes of one million dol
lars in 1927.
Withdrawals from the State Con-
tingent Fund have been negligible in
amount. Aside from payment of
compensation to injured employees in
accordance with the orders of the
Industrial Accident Commission I'M
der the legislative direction in rela-
, ton thereto, there has been drawn
from the State Contingent Fund dur
ing the present fiscal year the sum
of $31. S91.72.
The State of Maine is this year ex-
! pending over $500, 900 to help those
who are not entirely able to look
out for themselves. In the classes
/ of those for whom the State has
, to some extent assumed to care there
are still individual cases for whom
the appropriations are, not sufficient
to provide relief. Some additional
grants may be necessary and desir-
able to care for these cases. Some
savings may be possible in connec-
ton with individual cases that are
WITHIN neither the letter nor the spir-
II or our existing laws. The adop-
ton of any new and far more gen.
eral classification, however, for char
liable relief by the central govern
ment will be a long step toward the
complete specialization of the State.
Through the medium of the gaso-
line tax users of the highways have
increased very materially the sums
available for highway improvements
t both upon the state roads and also
for second and third class roads
without adding in any way to the
burden OF other tax payers in the
State. Provision has also been maze
that practically assures the construc-
ton of the Kennebec bridge with an
the cost thereof to be borne by those
who enjoy it's use.
The creation of State Police force
by broadening the powers of the
highway police without adding to the
expenses of the State or increasing
the number of employees has steadily
improved conditions throughout the
State. Maine has for long time had
a splendid record for law enforce
ment but State organization devot-
ed to coordinating the efforts of all
! officials concerned in the enforce
| ment of law is tremendous aid, and
for the first time makes the chief
executive measurably responsible tor
any good or bad conditions that shall
exist.
The Sectarian Amendment
Two years ago the citizens or
Maine gave very serious considera-
ton to the question of a constitu-
tional amendment prohibiting the d.
| version of public funds to sectarian
schools. The last Republican legisla-
ture by the necessary two-thirds ma
jority in both branches submitted
such an amendment to the people Of
the State to be voted upon at the
/ regular election in September, 1926.
! 1t is matter of qualification to all
thoughtful citizens that the form of
| the amendment finally submitted,
| modelled upon the Massachusetts pro-
vision dealing with this question was
sponsored by one of the most promi-
nent members of the religious de-
nomination which has been most
sensitive regarding legislation of
. this kind. This would seem to make
| impossible in it's discussion any OF
the sectarian bitterness which so un-
fortunately beclouded the issue two
years ago. Citizens of all faiths will
do well to beware any who shall seek
| to capitalize this situation for selfish
| political ends. 1t seems Impossible
| for this question to be an issue in
| the present primary or election cam
paign since the issue will be definite
| ly settled by the solemn referendum
! of the citizens of Maine upon the
same day the gubernatorial election
shall take place. 1t is difficult tu
| conceive that the people will consider
| of majcr importance the views of a
! candidate upon such an issue which
is go evaporate UPON election day
The proposed amendment seems to
! me wise and just.
Very much is heard today about
the existence of too many laws. For
! this reason it is a matter of congrat-
lation that during the past year the
number of laws enacted was reduced
! to approximately one-half the bien-
| NAL average for the past twenty
| years.
1t has become increasingly clear
| that Maine has very real and present
| possibilities of attracting both res
/ idents and investments from outside
| its bounds If it shall properly intro
! duce its opportunities to the desires
/ of an active and changing world
| Proper publicity is the medium for
| introducing supply and demand &c
each other as Yankee merchandising
ingenuity has long since shown. Oul
agricultural, industrial and recrea.
|