The Portland daily press., 1898-09-21

ask to build conuults on efolJ Hoioou AZ
stead of using poles. MIR. fogg said 1t
would be very expensive to do this, but
if other companies were made to put
their wires under ground on Congress-
Middle aud Exchange streets, these streets
at any rate would be cafe ana woulo
look better.
Alderman Merrill said that II LOCATION
of poles were granted this company tnere
would be two sets of poles in every street,
one on each side.
There must be a monopoly in telephone,
telegraph and electric light companies
Any one and every one cannot be given
the right to cucumber the streets with
wires and it must be men behind the
monopoly who are able and strong enough
to meet any demands that may be made
upon them in the way of damages. Men
who back such companies must show
something besides desire tossdo these
things. If this company comes in here
it will ruin the Consolidated company
and drive it out of business, and what
have you gainedP Only another monopoly
and you don't know. who is behind it,
or how responsible it is.
Alderman Rounds-'The Consolidated
company earned about 100000 last year
and paid tax on 5000, 600 didn't itf''
Alderman Dow-"I don't see what
that has to do with the question"
Mr.. Hale continued: "The Consoli-
dated stands ready to meet any propo-
ku+ =
make prices against wind or air. There
is a question of law between this new
concern and the Presumpscot Power
company. The latter claims the right to
shut off the water on Sunday and holt
days and if this is correct the new COM
pany won't be able to give you light or
power on those days. Then consider the
danger of bringing such a tremendous
voltage as this company proposes to bring
across the country and along the high
ways. You don't know that it can BIZ
done successfully or without danger to
the public. When asked MIR. Brown
facts about his company just now he gave
me flippant answer. He has been con-
nected with telephone companies that
never amounted to anything. he has
been before the legislature to ask fran
chises for companies which were never
heard OF afterwards. He gives us no
facts in support of his claims or to sus-
tain his petition and gives no evidence
as to his ability to do what he claims he
can do.
4 Mr.. Hale then referred to the follow
ing contract which was entered into by
the Consolidated Electric Light COM
pany and the Sebago Power company
and showed how the Consolidated COM
pany had protected itself by this con-
tract, while Mr.. Brown had not offered
any such protection to the city Of Port
land. The contract referred to reads as
follows:
THIS AGREEMENT made this twenty
third day of November A. ID. 1897, between
the SEBAGO POWER COMPANY a
corporation duly organized under the
laws of the State of Maine, and having It's
principal place OF business at Portiana IN
the County of Cum berland, in said State,
hereinafter called the Power Company. "
and the CONSOLIDATED ELECTRIC
LIGHT COMPANY OF MAINE, a cor
poration duly organized under the laws
Of said State, and having its principal
place of business at said Portland, here
matter called the Light Company.
Witnesseth: That the parties hereto IN
consideration Of one dollar each to the
other paid at or before the ensealing and
delivery of these presents, the receipt
whereof is hereby duly acknowledged by
each, and in consideration OF the mutual
covenants and agreements to be per-
formed by each Of said parties with the
other, and for other valuable consldera-
HEREBY MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD
AND tAGREED by and between said
parties respectively, their successors, OF
assigns, as fOiloTs:-
:. First The Power Company hereby
agrees to deliver on conditions. hereinafter
specified, in the electric light station OF
the Light Oompany as now situated IN
said City of Portland, continuous null
tiphase alternating electric current at
potential of from fourteen to fifteen
thousand volts, said electric current to be
delivered in sufficient quantities to en-
able the Light Company to operate Its
electrical machinery for supplying light,
heat and power to it's customers as they
may require finn time to time, the
amount of electFE current so furnished
not to exceed at any one time fifteen
cept as hereinafter provided, the furnish
ing of said horsepower (which Is hereby
ex pressly reserved to said Light Company
to take precedence of that furnished to
any other customers of the Power Com
pany.
Second. The Power Company further
promises and agrees to use due care in
the construction, maintenance and opera
ton of it's plant, and to that end to con
struct and MAINTAIN, at least two fully
equipped pole lines from its generating
plant to the boundary line of said Port.
land for the transmission of the current
hereby agreed to be delivered to said
Light Company; to guard against tempo
rary discontinuance of its service to the
Light Company.
Third. That the Power Company fur
ther promises and agrees not to engage
either directly or indirectly in tn o bust
ness of supplying light, heat or power n
said Portland, nor to sell directly or indi
rectly any electrical current to any muni'
cipaiity, person, partnership or corpora
ton doing business in any city or toWr
ad Joining said Portland with.
out expressly reserying anc
prohibiting it's use for any pur.
pose whatsoever within the limits OF said
Portland, it being understood, however
@oi shall nrG