Suchergebnisse

The readjustment of areas and services in the local government of Maine is proceeding most rapidly through the process of deorganization in towns which cannot support the cost of local services. An act of the legislature in 1937 provides that whenever the organization of any town or plantation has been terminated, the powers, duties, and obligations relating to the affairs of the town or plantation shall be vested in the state tax assessor, until such time as the town or plantation is reorganized. A town or plantation in Maine at present comes into existence through incorporation by special act of the legislature and ceases to exist through the surrender of the corporate charter by special legislative enactment.

The idea of a league of nations is one with which the United States has been familiar since the very beginning of its history. The form in which it first appeared to this country was in the Armed Neutrality of 1780. The purpose of this league, which has sometimes been called the League of Neutrals, was the protection of neutral trade. Having its origin at the court of Catherine II, Empress of Russia, the Armed Neutrality set forth a body of rules respecting the freedom of commerce in time of war which must prove highly favorable to the United States when that country, in a future conflict, should change its status from that of a belligerent to that of a neutral. It is not surprising, therefore, that the inclusion of the United States among the membership of the league which the Tsarina was forming to enforce these principles was not without its advocates.

Of great importance in the reconstruction program of the United Kingdom is the new ministry of health authorized by act of Parliament on June 3. At first sight it would seem that the local government board has merely changed its name. But this is not the whole truth. The new ministry is to become the one authority in all matters of health, taking over such duties from the home office with reference to factories and workshops, and from the education department, in regard to children at school. It will also assume, in England, the responsibilities of the national insurance commissioners under the legislation of 1911.