The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-01-29

4 Tss following 10 the petition Of skow
hsgan Board Of Trade presented TO tbs
Legislature last week:
| To tie Honorable Senate and House Of Rep-
yessntatirss in Legislature Assen'bied;
Gentlemen-During the last ten years the
water power on the Kennebec river has been de-
veloped 10 an unprecedented rate; old and par.
| italy used powers have been increased ia eff
cheney by rebuilding old and temporary dams
with new structures, substantial and permanent,
while new mills have been located by the best
Of engineering skill, at points which were be-
fore the railroad extensions, almost inaccessi-
BILE. The old water wheels have been thrown
aside, and replaced by those OF modern design,
in which a much higher percentage Of the power
OF water Is made efficient, and available for In
dustrisl work, giving employment to many
hundreds OF people in our midst, adding TO the
wealth OF the community in WHICH they are
located, and to that Of the State at large.
While noting these facts, we believe that
manufacturing In our valley is but in its infancy
and that It's possibilities are almost unlimited.
Possessing as we do river with numberless
water powers, and with naturel storage basin,
unequalled by any river in New England, we
would ask your attention to the following facts
LIST That at the present time, the manu-
facturers get comparatively little benefit from
the great storage system: That instead Of the
fall and spring rain being held back till the low
water Of the winter months and the drouth Of
midsummer, they still further swell the annual
freshets.
End That the present dam at the outlet Of
Moosehead Lake is so constructed that during
the extreme low water OF summer it is not posi-
BILE tn draw the water down to the natural level
Of the river channel and so the mills lose the
benefit Of a large amount Of water that would
otherwise be available.
3rd. During the dry season, the gates OF this
dam have been shut, still further reducing the
flow Of water, reducing the output OF the various
manufactures along the whole length Of the
river, to the injury Of the owners, and the hun
dreds d operatives dependent upon them,
while the benefit, II any, affects only few
pleasure seekers and steamboat men.
In view Of these conditions we would ask:
A. That the Governor be authorized to ap-
point a commission Of not less than three men,
at least one OF whom shall be q practical
hydraulic engineer, to make a survey of the
river above Norridsewock, giving especial at
tention to Moosehead Lake, as storage basin,
and to the feasibility Of increasing its capacity.
LIST. BY raising the dams at the outlets, thus
increasing the head.
2nd. by cutting down the channel at the
East Outlet, SO as to draw off more water.
b. And that the commission shall make
their report to the next Legislature, and shall,
in addition to estimates of the cost of adding to
the storage capacity Of the Lake, propose some
method by which the fow from it be controlled
with the greatest economy. and to the best ad-
vantage OF theIlumbermen in driving their logs
in the spring, and to manufacturers during the
rest of the year.
SKowHEGAN BOARD OF TRADE.
l.. ANDERSON, Pres.
o. r. BACHBLLER, Sec'y.