The Portland daily press., 1897-08-07
DEERING CITY COUNCIL.
Hearing on Petition Of Electric COM
pany to Locate Poles.

pduy 10 LUCaUo Z VACos
Aldermen Reserve Their Decision-The
Fessenden Street Sewer Matter Comes
Up and Original Order passed-Curbing
Order for Forest Avenue Sidewalk.
The special meeting of the Deering city
government for the purpose of hearing
on the petition of G. D. Brown and
assigns for permission to locate poles and
wires along the principal streets of the
city for the transmission of light and
power into the city of Portland, the
matter of Fessenden park sewer system,
and the laying Of granite curbing along
Forest avenue were to be considered.
Mr.. G. e. Brown of the Belknap Motor
company appeared in behalf of the
petitioner, c. d. Brown, and after the
hearing had been declared formally opened
Mr.. Brown took the floor and made some
statements in support of the petition.
Mr.. Brown reminded the aldermen that
at the time of the attempt to secure
charter from the state legislature for the
new electric lighting company several
petitions were presented and signed by
the Portland, Deering and Westbrook
citizens asking that the prayer Of the
petitioners be granted. The company
now asking permission to run its poles
and wires through the city realize that
the merchants and business men Of Port
land want cheaper power and lights, and
these can only be secured by generating
the electricity by..water power.
Alderman Cram wanted to know how
long it would take to complete the work
to be done along the streets and in reply
Mr.. Brown said that the work If pushed
ahead as contemplated was to be COM
pleted in six months.
Alderman Cram asked if the company
intended purchasing the electric light
plant of Marsh Bros, and was told by
Mr.. Brown that the promoters of the
scheme to furnish Portland with cheaper
power, already had an option on the
plant and would purchase as soon as
papers could be signed.
Alderman Aver asked how many wires
were to be placed on the poles and was
told from four to six according to the
mechanical strength of the wires.
Mr.. Brown was asked as to the prospects
of organizing company for the compile
| ton of the proposed system and said in
reply that company would soon be
formed with capital stock of $500, 200 or
$500, OOO
Mr.. John E. Warren Of Westbrook OF
the Westbrook Electric Light company
appeared as remonstrant to the granting
of the prayer of the petitioners.
Mr.. Warren said in remonstrance: The
company which I represent is at present
doing business in Deering and now that
| we are in should like to stay, as we can
at least furnish the city of Deering with
as inexpensive service as the company
III question. We have made your wires
throughout your city as safe as they can
be made, and we do not believe it good
policy to allow a company to locate poles
and wires with such a high potential
power as the new company will be re-
quired to use for the transmission Of light
and power into Portland.
Mr.. Newcomb of the Westbrook Electric
LighJ company was called upon and in a
few words expressed an opinion similar to
that of Mr.. Warren.
| Mr.. #. G. Harris, citizen of Deering
| then arose and in few words expressed
| it as his opinion that the locating Of an
other series of poles along the avenue was
detrimental to the property and interests
of the city.
eve have too many wires already. ]
am not here to oppose any HONORABLE
means to benefit the cities of Portland or
Deering. What am interested to know
is, how is it possible under the laws OF
1895 to sell power in Falmouth, Deering
and Westbrook, and until we have the
right in the matter lam not as a citizen
in favor of granting the company rights. y
| Mr. Brown replied ito Mr.. Harris by
saying that if the Marsh Bros. property
was purchased as contemplated it would
then be possible to furnish the power in
Deering. After considerable more dis
cussion of no special Importance the hear
ing was declared closed and the aldermen
reserved their decision.
The aldermen then Lwent into regular
session and the following matters of
special business were then considered:
| Alderman Matthews moved that the
question of the Noyes street and Deering
avenue sewer be taken from the table.
The question being before the aldermen it
was then moved that the order have it's
final passage. Alderman Aver thought
this was a great question, a matter not
of $40 but of several thousand and should
therefore be carefully considered. He said
| that the estimated cost would be nearly
| $40 900 and that of that amount Deering
was to pay altogether more than she
| should.
Mr.. Aver concluded his remarks by
offering an amendment to the original
motion to the effect that the expense
should be nearer equal. M
Several of the aldermen entered into a
discussion of the subject the bulk of their
opinions showing that they believed that