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$577,442,529.00
Per cent. of total valuation of state in these cities and towns
73%
Miles of state highways built 1914-1919
397
Cost of same
$3,520,167.87
Miles of state aid road in state, approximately
3,000
Miles of state aid road built 1908-1919, approximately
1,543.33
Cost of same to towns and state, approximately
$7,063,123.04
Valuation of cities and towns on state highway system
Total valuation of state $411,533,046.00
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HIGHWAYS
Road Work Maintenance
1914 688 miles maintained
1915 971 miles maintained
1916 3466 miles under patrol. maintenance 373 patrolmen
1917 3705 miles under patrol maintenance
437 patrolmen
72 miles maintained, but not under patrol
1918 4235 miles under patrolmen
480 patrolmen 88 miles maintained, but not under patrol
1919 42841/2 miles under patrol maintenance
478 patrolmen
74.3 miles maintained, but not under patrol
Bridges In accordance with the provisions of the law passed in 1916 a bridge division was organized by the State High- way Commission in 1917. When the cost of constructing a bridge on a main thoroughfare, added to the highway taxes, makes a tax rate in excess of five mills the municipal officers of the city or town in which the bridge is located may petition the highway commission and the county commissioners for state and county aid. If it is decided to build the bridge after a hearing by the highway commission, county commissioners and municipal officers, the highway commission makes plans, specifications, lets contracts and supervises the construction work. The town furnishes fifty per cent. of the cost of the bridge, the county thirty per cent. and the state twenty per cent. The state's appropriation for this work is $100,000 a year. During 1917, 1918 and 1919 approximately fifty-six bridges have been built. In 1919 the state appropriation was not sufficient to build half the bridges petitioned for. At the special session in 1919 the legislature made available from bond funds $500,000 for 1920. The law was amended in 1919 so that as the cost of a bridge increases, the pro- portion of its cost to the town decreases, and a corresponding increase of cost falls upon the state.
The annual expenditures supervised by the State Highway Highway Expense Commission average about $1,500,000.00. The cost of maintaining the commission's office, including all office and field engineering and supervisory work and expenses of all kinds averages about seven per cent. of the annual expenditure.
.
CHAPTER XLVIII
LABOR AND INDUSTRY
History The Bureau of Industrial and Labor Statistics was cre- ated by the legislature of 1887. The duties of the bureau were to collect statistical details relating to the commercial, industrial, social and educational conditions of the laboring people. The law further provided that the bureau should inquire into any violation of the labor laws. In 1911 the old bureau was discontinued and the State Depart- ment of Labor and Industry took its place. The executive in this depart- ment is known as the Commissioner of Labor and Industry and State Fac- tory Inspector.
Work of the Department The work of the department as it exists under the present law is as follows: collecting, assorting and arranging sta- tistical details relating to all departments of labor and industrial pursuits in the state; trade unions and other labor organiza- tions and their effect upon labor and capital; the number and char- acter of industrial accidents and their effect upon the injured, their depend- ent relatives and upon the general public; other matters relating to the commercial, industrial, social, educational, moral and sanitary condi- tions prevailing within the state, including the names of firms, companies or corporations, where located, the kind of goods produced or manufac- tured, the time operated each year, the number of employees classified according to age and sex, and the daily and average wages paid each employee; and the exploitation of such other subjects as will tend to pro- mote the permanent prosperity of the industries of the state.
Enforce Laws The Commissioner of Labor and Industry shall cause to be enforced all laws regulating the employment of minors and women; all laws established for the protection of health, lives and limbs of operators in workshops and factories, on rail- roads and in other places ; all laws regulating the payment of wages, and all laws enacted for the protection of the working classes. The workmen's compensation act assigns to the Labor Commissioner the duty of approving all agreements for compensation made between employers and injured employees. Such agreements are not valid until they receive the approval of the Commissioner of Labor.
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LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Expense
The state employs seven persons in this department, and annually expends about $10,400.
Number of minors between the ages of 14 and 16 years employed in the state during the year ending December 1, 1918, classified by towns
Auburn
45
Saco
84
Augusta
60
Sanford
113
Biddeford
131
Skowhegan
17
Brunswick
42
Waterville
100
Lewiston
46
Westbrook
65
Lisbon
10
Miscellaneous
313
Portland
97
Total
1,123
Employees in Manufacturing Industries
1917
1918
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Boot and Shoe Industry
7,520
4,501
12,021
6,653
4,536
11,189
Cotton Industry
7,758
6,689
14,447
7,285
7,229
14,514
Woolen Industry
6,171
3,372
9,543
6,746
4,115
10,861
Pulp and Paper Industry
10,336
1,048
11,414
11,263
1,700
12,963
Ship-building Industry
9,235
159
9,394
Other Industries
41,553
10,687
52,240
42,051
12,438
54,489
Total
73,368
26,297
99,665
83,233
30,177
113,410
Total Number
of Employees
in Maine
...
The Commissioner of Labor estimates that there are about 410,820 persons employed in the State of Maine distributed as follows: manufacturing 113,410, mercan- tile 112,410, agricultural 125,000, lumbering 60,000.
Manufacturing There are about 4,600 firms in Maine engaged in about 200 different industries as follows: bakery; boilers Industries in Maine (steam) ; boxes; bricks; brooms; brushes and mops; canned corn; carriages; cigars, confectionery; cotton shirtings, tubings, etc .; creamery; feldspar (powdered) ; fishing rods; grist mill; harnesses; machinery castings (iron and brass) ; monu- mental work (granite and marble) ; potato chips; printing and publish- ing ; proprietary medicines ; sausage, lard, etc .; shoe lasts ; shoe patterns; shoe shanks ; shoes ; sleds (express pungs) ; soda and mineral water; tanks and towers; teeth (false) ; gloves (fabric) ; pulp (ground wood) ; wood novelties; barrels (apples) ; belting, etc., (leather) ; book binding; cement linings (fire) ; cotton goods; cotton yarn; fur goods; hair goods; house finish ; lumber ; moccasins ; motor cars; printing ; reeds (loom) and combs; shirts ; shovel handles; sleds (truck and logging) ; woolen goods; rolls (narrow paper for all purposes) ; canned vegetables; leather and fiber board; spool stock, etc .; boats; starch; electricity (light and power) ;
Minors Employed in Maine
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THE MAINE BOOK
kindling wood; shingles ; baskets ; clothes pins ; cooperage ; fertilizer ; potato carriers; yarns and sweater coats; axes; last blocks; tannery (sole leather) ; maple syrup; veneer (birch) ; concrete blocks and bricks; dowels ; ferrules and light tubes; stockings; boats (power) ; agricultural imple- ments ; artificial stone; asphalt (rock) floors; awnings, tents, etc .; boilers and smoke stacks; books, blank and loose leaf; cabinet work and wood mantles ; canes ; caskets ; chemicals ; clothing ; cornices and gutters ; dental supplies ; drawer slides; engraving; extracts, essences; fish; fountains ; furniture; gas; tar; ammonia; glass; grates, grease and tallow; hair goods ; hats (felt) ; ink ; jewelry ; ladders ; machinery (engines) ; matches ; metal can and bottle covers; oil; paint (colors, varnishes) ; pickles and vinegar; picture frames; plated ware; rugs; screens; sheet metal work; shirt waists; slate work; soap; stencils and stamps; stove polish; taxi- dermist; tinware; toilet goods; toys and novelties; trunks, bags, etc .; vaults (burial) ; window shades; clam chowder; japans, varnishes and dryers ; bean pots; foundry; hammocks; plumbing and steam heating; shovel handles and picker sticks; silk dress goods and satins; trusses ; cotton bags (seamless) ; cotton gloves; trap hen's nests; wood turning; fishing rods (bamboo) ; sideboards; spools ; skewers; cant dogs and pick poles ; snowshoes; knapsacks; tinware and smelt stoves ; fish lines (deep sea) ; sails; snow plows; lobster traps; wheel barrows; coffins; canned blueberries ; hammers and tools ; optical goods; paper; electrophones, etc .; sand paper scythes; woolen goods (men's fancy cassimeres) ; log haulers ; staves, heading and lumber (long) ; porous plasters (Ordway's) ; lime; couplings, fire hose nozzles, etc .; gasolene engines; carding (wool rolls) ; violins ; piano backs; lapidary; toys and children's furniture; gum (chew- ing) ; boot calks; picture frames; excelsior; pegwood, shanks and paper plugs; dyes; pianos ; galvanizing; ship building ; fly killer; pie plates and butter dishes (wood pulp) ; decorating (tin plate).
CHAPTER XLIX
PUBLIC UTILITIES
The Maine Public Utilities Commission was created in 1913 by the 77th Legislature. This act was referred to the people in 1914 and accepted by a large majority. The law became effective November 1, 1914. Its official existence began December 1, 1914.
The Commission, in addition to the ordinary duties of such a com- mission, took over the work of the former Railroad Commission and the Maine Water Storage Commission.
History The Railroad Commission was first organized and began its duties in 1857, and continued as such to November 1, 1914. The Board of Railroad Commissioners consisted of three members, appointed by the governor. They had jurisdiction over steam and electric railroads in Maine. All new railroads incorporated under the general law came to this board for a certificate of necessity and convenience before construction could be commenced. All railroads reported annually to this board with relation to their finances. This board also approved all new construction and issued certificates of safety before such construction could be used. The maintenance and safety of operation of the roads and the investigation of all serious accidents formed a part of their duties. This Commission also had limited jurisdiction over rates although the right was seldom exercised.
Surveys The Maine Water Storage Commission was created by act of legislature in 1909, being specially charged with the duty of investigating the water power resources of Maine and in making a topographical map of the state. A large amount of preliminary work had been previously done along these lines. In fact forty years before the Federal Geological Survey was established, the State of Maine had made such a survey. The legislature of 1836 authorized a geological survey by Doctor Charles T. Jackson. Three years were spent on this work. In 1861 and 1862 Ezekiel Holmes, naturalist, and C. H. Hitchcock, geologist, made interesting and valuable reports on the zoological, botanical and geological resources of Maine. The geological part of this report was especially valuable.
In 1867 a hydrographic survey, dealing almost entirely with Maine's water power resources, was made by Walter Wells. This report was of
251
252
THE MAINE BOOK
exceptional value, being broad in its scope, and is considered an authority at the present day.
The State Survey Commission was created March 16, 1899, and charged with the duty of making a topographic map of this state, which work has been continued to the present time. The results of this Com- mission's labors were especially valuable. Their work was done in co-opera- tion with the United States Geological Survey, and it was at approximately this time that the State of Maine, in cooperation with the Federal Govern- ment, commenced to gather data on the flow of water in the various rivers of Maine. The work of this Commission was broadly conceived and well carried out.
In 1905 the legislature extended the scope of this Commission's work to the extent of making hydrographical and geological surveys of the state. It was under this Commission that much of the river map- ping in the State of Maine was carried out, and the foundation laid for a comprehensive study of the water power resources of the state. The work of this Commission was turned over in 1909 to the Maine Water Storage Commission, which continued in office to November 1, 1914, when the Maine Public Utilities Commission, in accordance with the act creat- ing it, took over its duties and has since carried them out.
Organization and Purpose The Public Utilities Commission consists of three com- missioners appointed for a term of seven years. This Commission has regulatory powers over all steam railroads, electric railroads, gas, water, electric, telephone, telegraph, steamboat, and express companies, also warehousemen and wharfingers operating in the State of Maine and totaling 483 companies.
Regulatory Powers of the Commission The Commission has the power to fix the rates charged for the different classes of service rendered by the dif- ferent utilities. It is its duty to see that no discrimina- tion in the sale of the product occurs among consumers in the same class and to prevent the enjoyment of special privileges among the consumers and see that no rebates are given except as provided by law and as ordered by them. The law requires that all changes in rates shall be filed 30 days before they go into effect. The Commission has power to suspend rates pending an investigation.
Notes
Stocks It has jurisdiction over all issues of stocks, bonds Bonds and notes. This requires public hearings and careful scrutiny of the purposes and legality of the issues. Many cases require the auditing of accounts and, in some of them, appraisals in addition to the testimony presented at the hearings. Watered Stock No public utility corporation is permitted to issue a share of common capital stock without satisfactory proof that it brought to the treasury of the utility its full face value
253
PUBLIC UTILITIES
in property. This entirely prevents the issue of "watered" stock. The Commission also insists that new public utility corporations shall actually finance their operations in part through money or property furnished by the stockholders, so that there will be a substantial equity behind the bonds before they are sold to the public.
Control of Companies The Commission requires full and complete financial state- ments from each company ; authorizes all sales, leases, or mergers, the necessity and cost of which must be approved ; orders physical connections and joint use of equipment when public neces- sity demands it; inspects all equipment used in rendering service; can determine the quality of that service; recommends standards for the same; approves all new construction on the railroads before use, etc. In general, the work of this commission is closely connected with the expenditures and safety of every person in the state who directly or indirectly makes use of the service rendered by the public utility corporations in this state. Procedure There are two ways whereby a person may have his com- plaint heard and judged, by formal complaint and by informal complaint. If the party wishes to make a formal complaint, he must specify his charges, obtain ten signatures and forward the same to the office of the Commission, which will assign a time for hearing. If he cannot obtain ten signatures, he can make a complaint over his own signa- ture, and the Commission may, on its own motion, assign the matter for hearing.
By informal complaint is meant individual complaints which are not considered of sufficient importance for a formal hearing, in which case the matter is investigated and adjusted without that formality. On a formal complaint twenty days must elapse after complaint is filed before it can be heard.
The utility may also complain against its own service in order to 'remedy matters that are unsatisfactory to all parties concerned.
The rules of procedure in formal hearings follow the rules used by the state courts in civil actions.
Engineering Department
The engineering department is in charge of a chief engi- neer who has direct charge of all its work, which includes
the making of valuations for rate-making purposes or issu- ance of securities; drawing up of rules of service; the investigation of bridges used by the steam and electric railroads ; the inspection of utility equipment from the standpoint of adequate service and safety of the gen- eral public ; the investigation of the hydrographic resources of Maine; and any other problems of an engineering nature that may arise through the exercise of the Commission's regulatory power.
254
THE MAINE BOOK
Accounting Department The accounting department is in charge of a chief account- ant, who has direct charge of the gathering of all statistics and auditing the financial statements of all the public util- ity corporations which by law report to the Commission. The public utility corporations under the jurisdiction of the Commission are required to keep financial and other pertinent data in accordance with certain classifi- cations of accounts which were drawn up by this department and recom- mended to the Commission for adoption. All necessary financial data involved in the determination of decisions relating to rates or issuance of securities are passed on by this department. It also gives expert advice and assistance gratuitously to the individual corporations with a view to establishing their accounting methods on a proper and standard basis. Rates and Schedules The head of this department is the Chief of Rates and Schedules. All rates and schedules of the various utilities operating in Maine are required by law to be filed with this department. The Chief of Rates and Schedules sees that all legal requirements are satisfied, and reports any changes that are made. Expert advice is also given to the Commission when the same is needed.
Inspections The inspections department is in charge of a chief inspect- or, who makes annual inspection of the steam and electric railroads in this state, investigates the safety of grade crossings, and makes special investigation of all accidents of a serious nature occurring in connection with the operation of public utility corporations.
The Commission through a special agent also inspects the plants and recommends improvements looking toward the betterment of the water supply furnished the public by the various water companies.
Public Utility Corporations There are 479 public service companies operating in the state as follows: electric lighting companies, 94; express companies, 7; steam railroads, 15; electric railroads, 15; gas companies, 16; steamboat companies, 26; telephone companies, 108; telegraph companies, 4; water companies, 172; warehousemen, 5; wharfing- ers, 17. The total estimated assets of all these companies are $250,000,000. These companies issued under the Commission's direction during the four years preceding 1919 the following securities: stocks, $11,209,920; bonds, $30,634,343.75; a total of $41,844,263.75.
Water Resources
For making a topographic map of Maine, it has been cus- tomary for the state to appropriate annually $5,000 and
the Federal Government a like amount. About 33 per cent. of the state has been mapped to date. These topographic sheets cost ten cents each, and a complete set of those sheets available, when properly assembled, constitutes an admirable map of Maine for that part of the state which they cover. On them are shown the natural topography
255
PUBLIC UTILITIES
of the land, the lakes and rivers, the shore line; roads, dwellings and many other important works of man. Records of flow of Maine rivers are obtained at 26 points, the flow being determined at these points every day in the year. Rainfall records are obtained at 40 different points in the state. Evaporation from water surface is determined at one point. In its investigation of the water resources of the state, the Commission esti- mates that the total primary horse power in Maine is approximately one million. This investigation covers certain important rivers of the state, and shows that there is 547,350 primary horsepower on the rivers studied. The horsepower as submitted by small power owners, the individual amounts of which were not determined by the Commission, total 88,000, showing power resources covered by this investigation of 635,350, or about 64 per cent of the total primary power resources of Maine.
The regular force of the Commission including the commissioners, numbers 20 persons. The Commission expends from $45,000 to $55,000 annually.
CHAPTER L
ANIMALS, FISH AND BIRDS
State The Museum connected with the Fish and Game Depart- ment has mounted specimens of practically all wild birds Museum and animals found in the state. Specimens of the lead- ing varieties of inland fish are also on exhibition.
Among the interesting exhibits is a large moose group, enclosed in glass,-the background, painted by the Curator, depicting a winter scene which is very realistic; another case shows the loon family, and another geese and ducks, both with appropriate backgrounds, also painted by the Curator, all of which attract much attention. Another case contains vari- ous species of our shore birds, mounted and grouped to display their natural characteristics and habitats. The background of this case is a finely exe- cuted marine view, also the work of the Curator; upon either side cliffs rise from a sandy beach, their bases covered with seaweed, and on these cliffs are shown the nests and eggs of gulls and also young tern. Another case has ruffed grouse and woodcock groups.
There is also on exhibition a valuable loan collection of birds' skins, nests and eggs.
An aquarium of eight tanks, installed in 1916, contains several varie- ties of fresh-water fish, and has proved to be one of the most interesting features of the Museum. Jars have been installed in connection with it in which are shown the process of hatching trout and salmon, and by means of which the development of these fish from the egg to the age of three years is shown by living specimens.
The educational value of the Museum is now recognized by a host of intelligent visitors from all sections of the country.
Game Animals Deer are abundant in all northern counties and quite plenty in some of the southern counties. Moose are also found in all northern counties. Caribou were formerly numerous in Maine but have been exceedingly scarce in recent years though occasionally seen along the Canadian boundary.
Fur-Bearing Bear, Beaver, Bob Cat, Fisher, Marten or Black Cat, Fox, Lynx, Mink, Muskrat, Otter, Rabbit, Raccoon, Skunk, Sable, Animals Squirrel, Red, Gray, Weasel or Ermine, Woodchuck.
Game Fish
Landlocked Salmon, Trout, Togue (Lake Trout), Black Bass, White Perch.
256
n
SECTION OF MAINE STATE MUSEUM
258
THE MAINE BOOK
Non-Game
Fish
Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Whitefish, Cusk, Chub, Sucker, several varieties of Smelt, numerous small fish, commonly called bait fish, (Minnows, Shiners, etc.)
Fur In view of the fact that trappers of fur-bearing animals Industry in organized townships are not required to take out a license, there are no means of ascertaining the annual catch of these animals in organized places; furthermore, as there is noth- ing in the law to prohibit the transportation out of the state of the skins of fur-bearing animals legally taken, without doubt at least thirty per cent of the annual catch in Maine is sold in other states, consequently the skins purchased by licensed fur buyers represent only about seventy per cent of the furs secured each season.
Value
Basing an estimate upon the average value of the best :
of Fur quality skins, the furs reported handled by licensed fur dealers in this state last season represented a value of approximately $500,000.
BIRDS FOUND IN MAINE
Holboelt's Grebe Horned Grebe
Wilson's Petrel (quite rare) Gannet (rare)
Pied-billed Grebe
Cormorant
Loon, Great Northern Diver
Cormorant, Double-crested
Loon, Black-throated
American White Pelican (rare)
Loon, Red-throated
American Merganser
Puffin, Sea Parrot (rare)
Red-breasted Merganser
Guilbernot, Black
Hooded Merganser
Murre (rare)
Mallard Duck
Murre, Brunnich's
Black Duck
Razor-billed Auk (quite rare)
Gadwall
Dovekie, Sea Dove
Widgeon, Baldpate
Pomarine Jaeger
Green-winged Teal
Parasitic Jaeger
Blue-winged Teal
Long-tailed Jaeger (not common)
Shoveller (rare)
Kittiwake Gull
Pintail
Glaucous Gull (rare)
Wood Duck
Iceland Gull
Redhead Duck (quite rare)
Great Black-backed Gull
Canvas-back
American Herring Gull
Lesser Scaup Duck (rare)
Ring-billed Gull
Greater Scaup Duck
Laughing Gull (not common)
Ring-necked Duck (rare)
Bonaparte's Gull (not common)
American Golden-Eye
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