Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-10

The incoming Legislature will he
Obliged to slice off nearly 100000
from the requests for appropriations
in order to keep the State tax rate al
seven mills, its present level, Rep
resentative Burleigh Martin of this
city told the Augusta Kiwanians at
the weekly luncheon session of the
cluD yesterday noon at Hotel North
Attorney Martin pointed out that
appropriations sought from the COM
ing Legislature are nearing the S12,-
100000 mark, whereas the Legisla
lures appropriation bill two years
ago amounted to about 100000 II
the tax rate is reduced below seven
mills this will necessitate even fur
ther slashing Of the requested APP
preparations.
Reduction of railroad taxes. re-
auction OF State expenditures, repeal
OF the Direct Primary law, increasing
the gasoline tax, and the payment OF
prisoners for labor at States prison
are among the outstanding questions
that are likely to come before the
Solons the first part of the coming
year, Representative Martin averred
He refrained from expressing his
personal views on these and other
matters that he outlined. presenting
Gem merely as open questions that
Tlll demand the serious consideration
Of the lawmakers. His concise and
Informative address was greatly ap-
preciated by his audience.
President Frank E. Mace introduc-
ed Kiwanian Martin as the Speaker
of the House for the coming session.
and abiding to this Introduction Mr.
Martin said that while this is not yet
an accomplished fact the prospects
appear excellent.
Two Women Senators
There will be six women in. the
83rd Legislature, two in the Senate
and four in the House. This is in
dicative of what the future will hold
and is an indication that tie people
of Maine are pleased with the ser
vice the women have given in the
Legislature, Mr.. Martin declared.
He referred to President Cool
idge's program for economy In the
Nations finances and spoke of the
organization of the Taxpayers
League, which he considered will be
benefit to the Maine Legislature.
stating that there never has been
such an organization to look out for
they never have been representa- in
the lobby.
The railroads will undoubtedly have
bill for tax reduction. Two years
ago such a bill was introduced in the
Legislature. The present tax on rail-
roads is based on the gross income,
and some feel that this is not fair
for the gross income is much larger
now since the war, whereas the, net
earnings have not correspondingly in
creased.
In speaking of the highway problem
Attorney Martin paid tribute to the
keen judgment of the people residing
in rural communities, asserting his
belief that the selectmen of towns
know more about roads and road eX-
penditures than the city jewellers. He
said that last year SS.000,000 was eX-
pended on roads, and the question will
undoubtedly be brought before the
coming Legislature whether there
should be another bond issue or wheth-
er the 'pay as you go" policy should
be adopted. The gasoline tax nctter
the State S1,650,o00 last year, and the
suggestion has now been brought for
ward that this tax should be raised
from three cents to five cents a gal
lon. That some compromise basis may
be adopted by the Solons some have
suggested.
Question Of Paying Prisoners
The question of paying prisoners is
one on which men may honestly al
fer Mr.. Martin declared Some people
believe that to pay the prisoners
would not be fair to the taxpayers ana
would tend to make the prison too at
tractive, while others believe that the
morale of the prisoners will be petter'
that they will waste less and will work
better and will leave the prison petter
nrenared to be good citizens If they re-
ceive recompense for their labor
The absence of party lines In the
T.egis1ature's consideration of it's prop
lens is a pleasing feature. The men
and women vote on the question as
thew feel is for the best interests Oh
the State.
old Age Pension Bill
Another matter for the Solons is the
question of old age pension. o,ii
nroviding for this was passed py inc
Senate Of the last Legislature follow
inc a wonderful plea made by senator
smith. but the bill was defeated III
the House. The bill did not carry
large appropriation, but how Tar Tue
state should go in this directioh pie-
sents a real problem. !. Az,
The excellent service given 70 .ne
Solons at the State Library unuer 'ne
direction of state Librarian f1ehiy ~
Dunnack was favorable comment by
the speaker, who said that the library ar y
is arranged so that fnformatioh "a.
hs quickly secured relating to any
problem. ot.,.d for a
generation-the sectarian issue. o,a n,S
came up four years ago out OF q cIeai
sky, but has been settled by 'ne p'o
pie.
"The question if power should n s
TRANSPORTED out of the State should
not be treated as a partisan nj, meas eas.,
ure and I do not beiiev ,e,l IL mrm
rs pgsse by sending its power out Of
tha state or will become power