Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-01
COL. GOFF TALKS
About Bridge Mill Power
Co.'s Charter,
SEN. EASTON'S POSITION.
Mr.. Goffs Summing Up ID Not in the
Nature OF q Criticism.

TRIBUNE reporter called upon Col.
Lyman Il. Gof today In relation TO the
action OF the General Assembly on the
application OF the Bridge Mill Power Co.,
and while he was unwilling to express an
opinion in the shape OF criticism on the
position taken by the Pawtucket Gas Co.,
for the reason that many OF the directors
are among his personal friends, he was
willing to give the substance OF the pro-
ceedings at Newport, which he did.
He believed tnst the directors, who have
not been correctly informed as to the In
tent OF the charter, it's scope and the
powers conferred; and that, had they In
yestigated the matter for themselves, there
would not have been the opposition that
showed itself at Newport.
The Bridge Mill Power Co. made appli-
cation for charter carly In the January
session. Learning from the Senator from
pawtucket that IL was his intention to
oppose It; learning also that an attorney
had been employed to use his influence
against 1t, and not earring to press the
matter until part of this opposition could
be removed Mr.. Goff decided to defer ac-
tion Until the May session.
lie went to Newport In the interests Of
the bill, and with his usual fairness, while
not fully endorsing the request OF Sena.
Tor Easton for hearing the next day, did
not endeavor to press the action without
one, and thus a hearing was had on
Thursday last before the Committee on
Corporations.
| At that hearing there appeared FIVE d.
rectors OF the Pawtucket Gas Co., repre-
sentatives from the Woonsocket, Provi.
dence and Newport Gas Co., as well as at
torneys from Providence and Newport.
AS the application was for an ordinary
charter; as 1t provided that the company
could do business only with the consent
OF the town or city councils, and subject
to such restitution as might be imposed
by said councils; as 1t gave no right be.
beyond the right to incorporate, as hum
dreds OF similar charters have been
lgranted In this State, there seemed nc
good reason for opposition from any
source.
The committee, after an hearing of an
hour and half, all of which time was oc.
cupied by the objectors, voted unani.
mously In favor OF granting the petition.
| The main argument used by the presi.
dent OF the Pawtucket Gas Co. was that
there were great number of the citizens
OF Pawtucket who desirsd to enter their
protest to the grant, and that there was
not time to get them to Newport, and
that he desired the matter postponed to
the January session.
There was the usual story that the Paw.
tucket Gas Co. was able to take care of all
the business; that the company had ample
capital and ample facilities, and that there
was no need OF another company; that its
rates were lower than those Of almost any
other company, and that its stockholders
did not want their stock impaired, and
would not sell 1t probably at twice its par
value; and, In fact, that the gas company
desired such action as would enable tito
do business without competition.
| As soon as the bill was reported to the
Senate, Senator Easton opposed It, giving
substantially the reasons stated before
the committee, aud upon . motion to
postpone to the January session, 1t was so
| ordered.
Mr.. Goff Informed the TRIBUNE that
by their action, the Gas Co. gains nothing
since tho Messrs. Gofi can carry on their
business as firm Just as they have been
doing for more than two years and that the
Gas Co. has simply deprived them from
doing business as corporation. While,
as stated, Mr.. Goff did not care to criticize
the action OF the Senator from this city,
he cannot but feel that his action would
have been entirely different had he not
been director In the Pawtucket Gas Co.,
because the Senator has not heretofore
entered any protest or objection to many
similar applications that have passed the
A.
member OF the Senate.