The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-10-10

As was stated last week the representa-
tiyes of the New England Insurance E1-
change who visited Skowhegan were
highly pleased with our water works
As proof Of this We give the following
letter:
SKowHEGAN, Oct. End, 1889
SKowHEGAN WATER Co:
Gentlemen:
The members of the Som
erset County Committee of the New Eng
land Insurance Exchange, having i'll charge
the insurance rates in Skowhegan and Vi
entity, expressed great satisfaction with the
workings and efficiency OF your system As
! shown in the public exhibition given to day.
The Pumping Station seems fully
equipped with the most approved pumps
having "A duplicate steam plant and with
the unlimited water supply we have every
reason to trust that no fire of any great
magnitude can occur.
Yours respectfully,
FRED b. CARPENTER, Chairman.
Now that the committee representing
the New England Exchange have in
spected our water works and pronounced
them good, as appears by the foregoing
letter, and recommend a substantial re-
duction of insurance rates, as we under
stand, averaging not far from 20 per
cent, it seems to be fitting for the RE-
PORTER to give glance backward at the
beginning Of the enterprise and briefly
note It's progress and the difficulties that
beset the company in putting in the sys-
TEN.
Three years ago many citizens Of Skow
gan feeling that they were paying too
high rates for insurance upon property in
the village, made an effort TO get reduc
ton of rates, and our local fire insurance
secured visit of 4 committee of the New
England Insurance Exchange. They
came here, looked the situation over, lis
tened to the facts presented by delega-
ton of leading business men, and frankly
told them they could not reduce the rates,
and, instead of lower rates, there was
prospect of higher, unless better facili-
ties for putting out fires were afforded at
an early day.
This was the situation when twelve cit
liens, representing different lines Of bust
ness or professions, a majority of them
large owners of insurable property, who
had direct interest In not only reduction
of fire tariff but greater interest in hav-
ing the best possible protection to their
property from destruction by fire, moved
for an organization as a corporation to
put in water system.
They drew up and signed petition
for legislative charter, published the
charter In the winter of 1887. Up to this
time there had been no opposition, but
when meeting Of the Village Corpora
ton was called to see what action would
be taken toward renting hydrants for fire
purposes, opposition developed. 1t is
not necessary to write Of this in detail, or
Of the intensity of the feeling that was
successfully worked up against the men,
bers Of the Water Company, attended
with petty insults under which they
smarted somewhat, but bided their time.
The effect Of this opposition was to
confine the putting in Of the works to the
one contractor who would do it without
hydrant rental before making q con-
tract. But contract was made and the
works were well along, when the contract
or failed.
This caused delay Of several months,
and made it necessary for the corporators
to take hold of the matter themselves.
They did so, put their money in and COM
Dleted the wnrksr The Village se So-pora-
ton, after holding several meetings, in
vestigating the workings of the system
thoroughly through committee, at one
Of the largest corporation meetings ever
held In Coburn Hall, and by good ma
iority, voted to pay $4,000 per year rent
al for seventy-fve hydrants for twenty
years.
This action put US In condition to ap-
ply for re-rating of our fire insurance
tariff with the results noted above and
PAoSSo phoVhO6oh ooiOoob obuCA CutCi-
prising and progressive towns In Maine.
the confidence of the Water Company
In the intelligence and progressive spirit
Of the citizens Of Skowhegan was thus,
after long time justified.
As matter of fact, the Village Cor
poration has an exceedingly favorable
contract. 1t gets the very best water
service at very low figure. The same
service at S250O per year would not be
above fair rate.
The members Of the Skowhegan Water
Company are entitled to congratulations
for the pluck, endurance and ability they
have manifested in overcoming all obsta-
cles, and in giving to the town system
Of public Improvement of the highest
utility.
Unlike most cities and villages In
Maine, Skowhegan's water works are un-
der the control and management of q
company comprised Of Its own citizens.
This, we believe, is as it should be, and
must be much more satisfactory to our
citizens as q whole, than to have the sys-
tenn controlled by persons who have no