The Portland daily press., 1901-01-30
One That of Madison
Falls Company.
Which Asks For Rights Any
where in Cumberland County.
sPEc1AL TO THE PREss1

Augusta, January 29-At least two
bills now pending before the Maine legis-
lature win II they become laws give to
electric light and power companies the
right OF eminent domain. In other
words If these companies want to stretch
their lines over the land OF John Jones
and John thinks he should prefer to Eesp
his land for his own purposes, he VIII
find that he must give 1t up ana thae ne
cannot tx the price to be paid for II un-
less the figures happen to suit the CON-
pany, for In case of failure to agree the
bills provide that the board OF railroad
commissioners shall be tribunal to NIX
the prioe to be paid The nrst of these
bills was introduced by Mr. Cannon of
Jay some time ago and was referred to
the committee ON legal affairs. The bill
Is entitled IAN Act to Incorporate the
Wilton Light and Power company" and
provide for the organization of a company
to light the public streets OF Wilton and
Jay, furnish light and power for
commercial purposes. construct and oper-
ate wires ON all streets and ways OF said
town. The company shall pay the town
for any damages 1t nay causs, 1t may
not impair or obstruct any existing lines
or drains or sewers but may change the
direction of same when necessary being
responsible to the owner for any Injury
oocasioned thereby.
"Section 5.-Damages for any land or
other property, taken for the purpose OF
erecting or laying said lines, If the
parties cannot agree, shall be estimated,
secured and paid the same as damages in
the construction of railroads.
'Ssotion The capital stock of said
company shall bs ten thousand dollars
divided into shares OF one hundred dollars
each. with the privilege OF increasing
said capital stock from time to time as
the stockholders may determine, to any
sum not exceeding one hundred thousand
dollars, and said company is hereby au-
thorized to issue bonds, in such smount
not exceeding the amount of It's capital
stock subscribed for, and upon such rates
and time as 1t may determine, and secure
the came by mortgage of Its franchise
and property"
The second bill is entitled IAN Act
Relating to the Madison Power Com
pany," Westbrook corporation which
| has recently erected an extensive power
plant at Madison Falls on the Presump-
scot river. After providing that the COM
pany may issue bonds and increase its
stock to an amount not prohibited by
law, the bill goes on TO provide that the
company may acquire in any lsgal man
nfh leo
vey all real and personal property and
rights necessary for all said purposes, and
is also authorized and empowered to
carry on the business of making, generat-
ing, using, selling, distributing, trans
mitting and supplying electricity for
lighting, hsating, manufacturing and all
other legal purposes; and in the prosecu-
tion thereof locate, construct, maintain,
keep in repair and operate its lines with
suitable poles, supports, wires, oonduits
and other apparatus upon, along. across,
over or under any public highway,
bridge, railroad or private land that 1t
1 may ind necessary or convenient to ac-
complish the purposes aforesaid, but in
such manner as not TO unnecessarily in
commode or endanger the public use
thersof first having obtained the consent
of the proper municipal officers OF any
city or town to such use of any highway
or bridge therein, and the consent Of the
officers OF any railroad on which 1t is
proposed to build its lines; with the right
to remove trees and ether distractions
when necessary, within the limits and for
the purposes aforesaid, excepting fruit
trees or any tree or shrub standing ana
growing for the purposes OF shade or or
ament.
"Section 2i-Tae damages for taking
land under this act whom the parties dc