Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-02-05
WATERVILIE.
CITY GOVERN MENT.
Warm Hearing on Dirigo Telephone
Cos. Petition to Locate Poles.

The regular meeting of the city gov
ernment was held, last evening. The
telephone hearing on the petition of the
Dirigo Telephone Co. for location OF
poles was taken up, after the compile
ton of other business Roll of ac-
counts No. 21J. carrying a total of
$2S94.G3 was passed.
1t was voted TO fix the valuation of
the mill recently purchased by Frank
Chase at the present rate and to
exempt from taxation for period of 10
years the improvements that may be
made, with the understanding that the
present tax be increased enough to
cover the State and county tax and
that the valuation shall not exceed
$1,000
a communication was received from
the Messalonskee Electric Company
presenting q new contract for the street
lights that was little changed from the
old contract. The new contract covers
four things not fully provided for by
the old contract. These are first, plain
er language; second, Il provision for Il
connection of these lights not already
connected by the city setting poles
charging the city n rental of % cents
per connection per year for the work;
third the running of police and fire
alarm wires on the poles of the COM
pany; fourth. the allowing of any other
corporation, firm or individual, for a
compensation such use of the poles as
is not needed by the company or the
city. The mayor was authorized to sign
this new contract for the city
An order was then passed that the
city erect necessary poles to carry out
the contract with the Messalonskee
Electric Company.
The committee on printing was au-
thorized to receive bids for the printing
Of 300 copies of the city reports.
The boards then went into Joint ses-
sion and elected Edward Ware assessor,
to succeed the late c. f. Grey.
The city. government then adjourned
until Feb. Il.
The mayor and board of aldermen
then proceeded as municipal officers to
consider the telephone petition.
Thomas Leigh of Augusta, L. A.
Goudy Of Portland. and W. c. Phil
brook of this city. represented the petit
TONERS, while W. T. Haines looked out
for the interests Of the New England
Telegraph and Telephone Co.
Judge Philbrook opened for the Pc
titioners introducing Mr.. Leigh and Mr..
Goudy.
Mr.. Leigh briefly explained the posi-
ton and present condition of the new
company. He said the new company
now had $50 miles of wire running
through seven counties and connecting
so towns and cities. He desires to tap
the trunk line at Belgrade or Sidney
and come up through Oakland into
Waterville and thence on to Bangor.
His object was to secure a through
connection with the independent lines
of Massachusetts. He then went on TO
describe the business now being done
by the company, and quoted the prices
that would be offered the public for
service. He also agreed to give the
city the free use of Is telephones Tor
the municipal officers. Should the COM
pany sell or lose its lines and the price |
of service be raised above those quoted |
all it's property in the city should be
forfeited to the city.
He spoke of instances of the beneft OF
in Rockland.
Mr.. Goudy then took the floor and
was examined by Mr.. Leigh to develop |
the purpose of the company.
Mr.. Haines then first showed his hand
by subjecting Mr.. Goudy to sharp
cross-examination. There was some hot
and interesting sparring between them,
during which those present incidentally |
learned a good deal about the telephone
business.
Mr.. Philbrook then spoke upon the
local aspect of the question, introduce
ing an order which he said covered all
that the company asked for. and on
which he invited criticism. III a vote
had been taken when these gentlemen |
had finished the new telephone COM
pany might have been running wires
INTO the city. this morning. But Mr..
Haines was yet to be heard and when
1e had finished his argument of about
half an hour the prospects of the new
company were not as bright.
After Mr.. Haines had finished Mr..
5oudy again spoke briefly and then
Mr.. Philbrook closed the argument. |