Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-21
REGARDING THE STATE HIGH
WAY POLICE

It is becoming increasingly evident
that our State Highway Police law
Is in for consideration by the Legis-
lature this winter. For one thing
there already is heard considerable
criticism that the money for this
establishment is being taken from the
fees of motorists and the gas tax
while it's duties are far from being
confined to highway purposes. In
deed, criticism goes so far as to say
that proper policing of the highways
has been neglected on account Of the
assignment of the highway police to
duties, for the performance OF which
county and Federal officers are as
signed and are assumed to be COM
petent to perform.
There is much to be done II our
highways are to be properly policed,
highway offenders brought to book,
suitable headlights to be insisted
upon, etc. We believe the purpose of
the law was the performance Of these
duties. In the effort, however, to
make these authorities helpful in
the enforcement of laws against
bootlegging a door was opened with
out sufficient restrictions and outside
duties appear at times to have inter-
fered with performance Of the very
duties for which this police force was
established.
There Is evident a tendency to
make the State highway police a
state constabulary, especially on the
part of the force itself. Does Maine
need such expensive arm of the law?
II 1t does, then let it be composed in
such way as to be outside the
realm of politics altogether, If that
be possible, which may be doubted.
Certainly it should be safeguarded
against perversien, and the present
law does not appear to he so guarded.
1t will be recalled that an opinion
credited to the chief of the highway
police was to the effect that the
State would receive better service
to turn over to that department the
enforcement Of certain laws other
than those pertaining solely to the
highways. Regarding this one should
bear In mind the inevitable tendency
to pass the buck" in that. as In
other activities in which the State
takes a share. We refer to the dis
position to let the State do all that
to which 1t lends even a helping
hand. That tendency is not whole
some. We want to avoid 1t here in
Maine.
1t is possible, moreover, that the
present law will be found ambiguous
in some respects. We have heard
the criticism that the petition of a
discharged member, and which was
referred to special committee Of the
executive council, is unwarranted,
that the removal of men from the
force is solely the prerogative of the
chief of the highway police. The law
states:
THE Governor, with the advice and
consent of the council, upon recon-
mendation of the chief of the State
highway police, may appoint suitable
persons as members of the State
highway police to enforce the provis-
ions of this act, who shall hold Of
fee during the pleasure of said chief"
"Who shall hold Office during the
pleasure of said chief" the critic
contends, means that no one but the
chief may remove member of the
force and that the Governor and
council has no power, as requested
by the petition, to review" the mat
ter of discharge, this notwithstand-
ing the provision of the law that the
chief shall execute the duties of
his office under the direction and
subject to the approval of the gov
ernor and council"