The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-28
SOUTH PORTLAND.
Meeting Board of Alder
men Last Night.
Hearing on Petition Consolidated
Electric Co.
Board Reserves It's
Decision.
Ordinance Passed aud Other
Business Done.

the petition Of the Consolidated Electric
company asking permission to plant
poles and stretch wires in the city.
All were present and the minutes Of this
previous meeting were read and approved.
An ordinance relating to the obstruc-
tion OF streets, squares. etc., was passed
to be ordained.
| A Communication from Alice j. Low
ell of westbrook claiming damages OF
$1,000 for injuries Sustained because Of
broken plank on Sawyer street was re.
ferred TO committee on finance and
claims
Licenses to sell fireworks were granted
J. r. Merriman, W. W. Rich, Charlotte
Pickett. Daniel ]. Morrison and S. G.
Willard.
As municipal officers OF the city the
board then came to order to listen to the
petition Of the Consolidated Electric COM
pany who was represented by W. X.
Wood, president, George s. Raymond,
manager, and William r. Anthoine, at
torney.
Mr.. Anthoine addressed the board in
behalf Of the company and In substance
said:
MR.. ANTHOINE's REMARKS.
He stated that IL was well that the city
government had paused before allowing
any corporation to enter the city and &C.
oupy the streets; 1t were well for them to
inquire what manner of corporation 1t
be, and what effect Its admission would
have upon the public weifre which has
been entrusted to their keeping. They
should also consider what effect 1T would
have upon the welfare of the individual
citizen.
| He referred to what the Consolidated
Electric Light company has done In the
past, and that 1t could be fairly assumed
that it would continue the same course
in the future.
He then gave brief history of the Con-
solidated Electric Light company saying:
cit was organized in 1888 and soon after
its organization it purchased all the prop
erty of the Portland Electric Light COM
pany, and also Of one or two other COM
pAnies doing business In the city of Port
land. II started upon its career, furnish
ing light and power to the citizens Of
Portland, and also lighting the streets Of
the city of Portland in 1885. since that
time 1t has extended its business gradual.
ly, SO that now 1t has 200 miles of wire
and 100 poles standing in the streets of
Portland. 1t Is furnishing to the public.
and to private Individuals. lights and
power amounting to 5000 horse power"
The company has never had an acci-
dent by which any person has lost life or
been seriously injured. This shows they
have not been unmindful of the public
snfaty.
During the long period in which, they
have lighted the streets of Portland, their
lights have been out but one night, that
during fearful ice storm when the cur
rent was shut of by order of the mayor.
They are able, If required. to supply $500
horse power at one time.
He traced the history of the electric
light from its infancy, and showed how
Yankee ingenuity wasat work improving
the machinery and reducing the cost of
lighting, SO that today the Consolidated
Light company is able to offer the citi-
Gems Of South Portland lights at price
heretofore unhesrd of. 80 cents per 1000
watts He then explained that 1000 waits
is equal to 1000 feet of gas. In the city
of Portland, where most OF the houses are
lighted by gas. the citizens pay, after all
discounts are out, si.25 per 1000 feet of
gas The Consolidated Electric Light
company are furnishing to the citizens Of
Portland and South Portland today the
same quantity of light for 80 cents.
He stated that two machines which this
company purchased in 1885 cost $500.
Two better machines, and doing the same
kind of work, and better work at that
had been recently purchased for $1,000.
Having briefly outlined the business OF
( the Consolidated Electric Light company
be dweIt upon the duty of the city gov
ernment of South Portland to prevent
unnecessary obstruction of the highways,
and touched upon the digging up of
streets for sewers. water pipes, gas pipes,
etc.. and said that all these were incon.
veniences, but the convenience to the citi.
zen of having his house well drained,
supplied with good water. and lighted
properly. more than Offset the inconve.
nisnce
He stated that the company alread y
had in the city Of South Portland nearly
800 lights, and wished to SGT poles.sand
string wires in order TO supply their GUS
TONERS. For the privileges which they
asked. the citizens Of South Portland
would receive In return reciprocal bene-
tits. At present a large number of per-
sons are asktng.that their houses:belighted
hy this company, number asking that
they be furnished with power.
In conclusion he reminded them Of