The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-06
MIR. PETERSON'S PLAN
Of Providing Portland With the
Electric Juice
DISCUSSED BEFORE JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE AT AUGUSTA.

Hon. G. f. Libby Conducts Case for Peti-
tioners-Mr. Peterson aad Citizens OF
Deering Give Evidence in Its Favor
Westbrook Electric Light Co. Opposes
Charter.
....eA-4..
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J
Augusta, March 6.-The bill to charter
the United Indurated Fibre company OF
New Jersey to transmit electric anu
compressed power from 0orham lnto
Deering, Westbrook and Portland ana
sell it in those cities for light and
power, was heard before the Judiciary
committee today. Lawyer Charles =.
Libby of Portland represented the COM
pany and incidentally he spoke for the
repeal of the law which gives general
law companies monopoly until COM
petltors are chartered by special act.
Mr.. Libby said that the Governor had
seen fit to oall attention in his address to
the dissatisfaction of the public concern :
ing this law and that he understood that
the Governor says that although he was
a member which passed the law 1t es-
capped his notice at the time. Mr.. Libby
expressed some views on the Importance
of the legislation under discussion and
said that 1t enlisted to quite an extent
public sentiment owing to the great
effect it has on the public.
Bringing the matter down to its effect
on Portland MIR. Libby said the Portland
Electric Light company furnished light
but that if another company had the
privilege of operating In that part of the
state it could send into Portland many
hundreds of horse power for manufac-
turing purposes. He thought that the
city could rival Providence as q manu-
featuring center as il IL better located.
Mr.. Libby called attention 70 the busi-
ness standing of the petitioners who
asked for modification Of the law.
Mr.. Libby emphasized the fact that
electricity generated by water power
should not be barred by law simply be-
cause it would be hard for any existing
steam plant company to compete for tn
patronage.
Jesse Peterson president of the United
Indurated Fibre company said that his
company abandoned the plant atssGorham
because transportation of fuel and goods
was very expensive. de said that a care
'ul survey had been made with view
10 transferring the power to some good
point for shipping products and reoeiv-
ing fuel and material. The cost OF put
ting the power into Portland W onld be
S142, 900 and Mr.. Peterson said that his
company was prepared to do it If the
charter is granted. He said its move
ment was not made with any idea of get
ting sale for the property or forcing
anyone to buy it. Mr.. Peterson said that
he understood that the company now
SUPP lying power had maxim UNI limit
of 1900 horse power and that there Was
about 2, 600 horse power being developed
In Portland by different steam power
plants He also gave figures to show that
cheaper by the proposed plan than it
can possibly be by the isolated plants
and when the discussion drifted onto
thu cost of lights a great divergence
to exist between Deering and
Portland in favor Of the former and that
electricity is more extensively used in
Deering than In Portland. He said he
would sell power at $50 per annum per
horse power for "a hours or would let any
one have the plant complete at a rental
rate of $40 horse power per annum. 1t
was shown that the right of way from
Gorham to Portland had been secured by
trades with the land owners. Regarding
impressed air 1t was stated by MT.
Peterson that much capital was already
invested for this branch of mechanical
art.
Mr. Peterson said under the desired
charter he would furnish anyone electric
power at rate which will be from 90 to
10 per cent less than it is now being OBJ
tanned in Por tland.
". "a Ooltou edlu tutso Ao Aetu Aeol laoa
by personal inquiry that many who
now use steam power in Portland would
change to electric power If they could get
it at reasona BILE rate.
MIR. Dalton said that If the fibre COM
Dany's plan was carried out he could cell
5. 600 lights in Portland at Deering rates.
Mr.. Dalton said he was not employed