Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-10
Audience and Interest Both
Increase at Gardiner.
Geo. W. HeseIton Opens the Case for
the Water District.
Session Enlivened by Several sharp
Passages Between Counsel.

paid by proceedings of unusual interest
and many sharp passages at arms be-
tweene the eminent counsel for both
sides. ross-examined by Mr.. Little
field, Mr.. Allen continued as follows:
Consumption and leakage should be
reduced to a minimum in order to
maintain as high a static pressure as
possible at the MIGRANTS. A foreign
coating Of any kind on the interior of
the pipe would impair it's service and
reduce the period of it's life OF useful
ness. He had expressed his idea of lit
tie or no depreciation by an allowance
Of only per cent. (Mr. Baker here pro-
duced a schedule of the Maine Water
Co.'S. real estate more complete than
any yet Offered) Mr.. Allen stated his
conviction that the pumping station IS
in good condition.
Mr.. Moore stated that he did not
know how soon the protuberances had
disappeared from the interior after the
specimen of pipe in court had been
taken from the mains. but the 1st Of
July when he lifted it from the ground
what was inside dropped out. He also
said he believed the pumping station to
be in good condition. Mr.. Baker here
read the deposition of 6. EtsGoodhne
sof Springfield. Mass, a, seDp*eguctor OF
water system, who has 10 IN diff
ferent parts of the couItES&and being
practical plumber. he dasniiiar with
all branches of the Wk since 1855
After full examination the Gardiner
system, in July last. M considers the
plant worth from $275ssgR0 to 100000 for
he considers it a stable Investment not
exposed to destructioH&by fire, or the
loss of great sums of money because
of the dishonesty offs employees. a
prime standard necessity. He had
made his estimate after examination,
as carefully as if he were t0Abid on the
plant. and this schedule was presented.
Mr.. I.ittlefield put each item under fire
at the time of the deposition, about
which he said, The cross-examina-
ton was rapid" to which,, Mr. Baker
quickly replied, THAT is easily assume
ed" and all We're conXincSd it4 was
probably as he stated. il1rSaHethert in!
stance where Mr.. Lfttietsefdwiths his
usual emphasis and persisSf neys dtltkr.
rogated again and again why the Wit
ness persisted in answering more than
he was asked, the dramatic reading of
Mr.. Baker provoked laughter even
from Mr.. Littlefeld. himself. who re-
maj ked Guess l was trying to fright
en- him n little" After one-half of the
document had been read both sides
agreed to the admission of it entire to
save time, for in the commission every
minute is jealousy husbanded and fill
ed to it's utmost capacity.
The defense here rests.
The commissioners rendered their
decision in contested point as to ad
INSTABILITY of certain evidence.
LIST. They will hear that in relation
to the purchase price of stocks of the
company by Arthur Scwall of w. G..
Davis.
ID Evidence relating to rates in
other companies with schedule is ex-
Guided as it opens too broad n field for
argument on what does not appear
strictly material.
Mr.. Heselton opened the case for the
Water District.
Since 1886, this company has invested
$4,000. not of their own but borrowed
ntoneySnfor so far as evidence has
shoWIl.s ttfat one cent of the money of
the stoE&6lders. has gone into the
plant. Hn3s case presents no aspects
for oonlmensuration or sympathy in as
y lnuchsas no loss to them is concerned of
money invested. In every case n per-
centage on the capitalization of the
plant on the basis of it's earnings, has
been the course of reasoning, to show
it's present value in the market. by all
concerned on the other side of the
hearing. 1t could be shown that
many other elements bear upon this
question In '85 this company secured
its 4clarter and since then contracts for
m0torSp6wer with others. are entirely
outside and should not be considered
Their right to power. Is subject to the
paramount rights of mill owners below
their reservoir dam. who is they chose
to assert those rights could compel the
Water Co. to use it only in case of fire;
exhaustion of reservoir or when they
shut down for repairs. s4125 was paid
for the water rights; $3.50 includes real
estate and to this should be added the
construction of the house. Much has
been said about rights purchased to
increase the value of the water priv-
lege, hut the increase of efficiency to
the mill owners is all that has been
secured, for the water power is no
more available along this stream,
than before the expenditure Dam
No. is merely reservoir dam
and is worthless for any mercantile
interest Four thousand dollars was a
large price to pay for it. including a
large tract of land on either side of the
stream. Al the very beginning of the
enterprise the contracts with Gardiner
and Farmingdale assured an income
from the plant before shovelful of
earth was removed. Thus these gentle
men assumed no hazard. but under
took Il perfectly wen-assured paying
property enterprise. for the bondhold-
ers assumed all risk in loaning capital
on q mortgage. Buildings, extensions,
etc. have been paid for by the earn
ings of the company and interest
should be offset by its earnings as well.
AS to the future of this company, the
probabilities OF great extensions are
very remote, especially in the direc-
ton of South Gardiner. Testimony
will be produced to show that VIM
throp's population of 1000 with its WOOL
an, ,>,s1I IL a., :..~x1 ~