The Portland daily press., 1897-01-27
MR.. PETERSON on DECK.
Dill for Proposed Electric Plant at
Great Falls.
PRESENTED IN BEHALF OF IN
DURATED FIBRE COMPANY.

Text of the Measure-P Petitions Favoring
the Same from Westbrook and Deering
Movement Looking to Repeal of Cor
poration Monopoly Law.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1
Augusta, January ga matter of
great interest to the cities of Westbrook,
Deering and Portland was presented this
morning 1t came in the shape Of a bill,
and two petitions in its support. Some-
time ago, Mr.. Jesse Peterson, represent
ing the United Indurated Fire company
of New Jersey, which owns valuable
water power at Great Falls on the Pre-
sumpscot in the town of Gorham, made
proposals to furnish electricity for light
Ing and other purposes in the cities
named. 1t was this proposition which
lead to the recent discussion Of the law
Of the last legislature forbidding on eiec-
trio light company to enter the territory
occupied by another without the consent
of the latter company. Today, Mr.. Kaler
of Scasboro, presented bill authorizing
the Indurated Fibre company to 90
anead. In support of this bill Mr.. Moore
of Deering presented the following pc
tition:
| We, the undersigned residents and tax
payers of the city Of Deering, hereby re-
spectfully request your honorable body to
use all Legitimate means to repeal the
unwiss legislation of 1926, which in the
| language of the Governor in his late in
augural .tends to create lnonopulies and
| to prevent healthy competition. Gin
| the matter of supplying and distributing
| electrical power within the limits OF this
city for manufacturing and ether pur-
poses; and, in view of the benefits to be
derived from cheaper generation of cleo
tricity by water power, we further re-
quest the necessary legislation which
shall authorize the United Indurated
Fibre company of New Jersey, its success
sors and assign to supply electrical OF
other power to our citizens for the above
purposes, and to transmit the same II ON
it's source of supply on the Presumpscot
river to bis city.
The petition is signed by freeman
Gowen and thirty five others.
Mr.. Kaler presented similar petition
signed by NJ. L. Keyes and 1877 others.
| The provision of the existing law Civ
ing one company exclusive rights to ter
ritory is already the subject of proposed
legislation. Judge Philbrook Of Water
vile, having presented bill for Its re-
peal which is now pending In com mittse.
The bill presented by Mr.. Kaler today, is
titled, can act authorizing the United
Indurated Fibre company of New Jersey
to generate and supply compressed air
and electrical power"
| 1t ia long document, the principal
provisions of which aEe as follows: Tie
| bill authorizes the company to gen.
crate, sell, distribute and supply com
pressed air and electrical power in the
town of G0rham and the cities of West
brook, Deering and Portland, and for
that purpose to transmit said compressed
air and electrical power by proper under
ground conduits or overhead appliances
over, under and along the public ways OF
private property where it may purchase
| or otherwise acquire the right SO to do,
| from the puint of geGeration at its water
privilege situated at Great Falls on the
Presumpscot river, to such points in the
territory aforesaid as the same may be
needed for manufacturing or other COM
mercial purposes, including light and
! power for private uses, but not to include
street lighting in any territory where
any other company, individuals or cor
| hi ch al otrin
lights without the consent Of such com
pany, Individuals or corporations, Except
by furnishing power to any city or town
desiring TO maintain Its own system of
street lighting.
The bill further provides that the COM
pany shall have an authority to take
appropriate or use the pipes, conduits,
lines or other property of any corpora
ton, person or firm doing or authorized
to do similar business without the con-
sent of such other person, corporation or
firm. 1t is provided that before bury1ng
it's wires or opening streets or roads, the
company must have the written consent
Of the municipal officers of the cities or
towns In which such roads or streets are
located. Such permit shall be given after
public hearing of which due notice has
been given.
The company shall be liable to repay to
auy of the cities or towns all sums of
money that the cities or towns may be
obliged to pay for any Judgment recov-
cred against it for damages occasioned by
any obstruction, digging up or displace-
ment of any way or street; provided, how
ever, that she company shall have notice
of the commencement of the suits for
damages and shall have ths right to de-
fend any such action at its. own expense.
The company may take and hold any
lands necessary for the construction and