The Portland daily press., 1898-10-15


Very respectfully, M
Vim. Fl. dow,
Secretary OF Committee.
Portland, October T. 1S9 IS.
Mr.. William FL, Dow, Secretary, etc.,
City:
Dear Sir-I am in receipt Of your favor
of the 9th inst, and am surprised at the
somewhat extraordinary questions which
you PROFOUND to me, many of which are
Of such nature that do not think
should be called upon to disclose them
for public information, nor where they
would be likely to reach the public, as
they concern the details of the companies
with which I am connected. but J am
perfectly willing to lay before the COM
mittee, In confidence, the facts relating to
the status and standing of the companies,
so that they can fairly judge whether the
companies I represent are in position
to carry on the business for which they
privileges in this city. 1t will be remein-
bered that we are asking simply pole
rights and underground conduit rights,
and that none of these rights can be exer
cised until the eompanysis in position
to construct its line and to bring the cur
rent to Portland. The greater part of the
work necessary to bring the current to
constructed, and will soon he in opera
ton. The subscriptions and Dash pay
ments toward the stock of the Cumber-
land Illuminating company are sufficient
in amount to enable this company to
construct its works and bring It's pole
lines to the city limits. I have the GER
tificates of eminent counsel as to the
right of the Portland Electric Light COM
pany to do business at the pS ant time,
as legally organized corporasls Z '5sssssser
the laws of this state, which I will sub
nit to the committee, and the working
arrangements between the Portland Elec-
trio Light company and the Cumberland
Illuminating company are such that
there can be no question as to the right
Of the Cumberland Illuminating compa-
ny to furnish the current generated at
Great Falls, on the Presumpscot river, to
the Portland Electric Light company.
AS regards the power OF corporation
to lease it's franchise, / beg to say that
by chapter "a Of the Laws of 1891. the
right to do SO is conferred in accordance
with the provisions of that act and the
many to buy its current from any other
company can hardly be questioned.
The charter Of the Presumpscot Water
Power company to which you refer, chap
ter 81 Of the Private Laws of 1878. SO
carefully guards the rights OF all owners
OF water powers on the Presumpscot riv-
er, that it seems unnecessary to do more
than to refer to that chapter to show that
there are no arbitrary rights of shutting
off the water by hean-gates, to the detri-
nient of the water powers on that river.
I beg to quote section of this chapter:
Nothing in this act shall impair, or
give authority to take away, impair or
diminish any right OF any person OF cor
poratfon to hoist Or shut the gates on the
.f hnod Ia uvhoro "a
waters Of Sebago pond enter,the Presnmp-
scot river or to regulate, control or use
the water through said gates, or any
legal right to the flow and use of the
waters Of Presumpscot river, except of
persons or corporations expressly consent
ing that such rights may be taken, i'm
paired or diminished; provided, that
construed as affecting, by implication or
other wise, any question as to whether such
rights. or any of them exist, or any CUES
tion of their nature or ownership
At the last meeting of the City Coun-
Gil of Deering, rights to erect poles were
granted, which enable the Cumberland
Illuminating company to complete its
TO the Portland city limits. The Cum
berland Illuminating company and the
Portland Electric Light company are
willing to give guarantees holding the
city of Portland harmless from injuries
to persons or property from poles, wires
and conduits, for the construction of
which authority is requested from the
city government.
II the committee desires further infor
nation to be treated by them in conf
dence, shall be happy to meet the COM
mittee for that purpose. The committee
will bear in mind that none of the priv.
leges asked for can be. used until sufficient
capital is furnished to put the lines in
actual operation, and l desire to say
further that I am promised all the capt.
tai needed to do this business, including
the construction of the oonduits and pole
lines in Portland, provided the privileges
we ask for are granted by the city of
Portland. would further say that while
I am willing to furnish any reasonable
Information to satisfy the committee that
the companies I represent are acting in
good faith and are able to carry out the
projects contemplated, am not willing
to unnecessarily publish the details of my
business and enable my competitors to
use them to my disadvantage, and only
ask from the city government, as fair
treatment as they have accorded to cleo
trio light companies In the past. I have
the honor to remain
Very truly yours.
Geo. W. Brown,
President and Manager Cumberland Inu-