Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-21
THE WATER HEARING
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Mr.. Getchell had not been on the
stand for some time and was called to
explain some few points which had not
been fully brought out before.
Mr.. Stacey was also recalled to make
some explanations relative to ledge ex-
cavationS IN Fairfield.
In the afternoon session the character
of the testimony changed and related
to water. supply in Fairfield and to the
cost of construction of various build
ings lin the water plant.
Virgil r. Conner of Fairfield, the first
witness in the afternoon. is the mana
ger of a spring water industry in Fair
field. This industry was commenced
in 1899, when the company purchased
springs a little way out of the village.
Pipe lines have been run from these
springs, through various streets in the
village and los services put in, all but
Is of which were formerly furnished by
the Maine Water Co. Two new springs
which have recently been purchased
will add one-third to the present sup
ply. This company has no charter.
The next witness was VIM. H. Tot
man. who has been connected with the
Fairfield fire department since 1876. and
was chief engineer from 1897 to 1900.
Since MIGRANTS have been put in Mr..
TOtman says there has been consider
able trouble with pressure at fires. He
told of the big fire on August IA, 1895.
when s15O,OO0 worth of property was
destroyed. At that time he said there
was not sufficient pressure to throw a
stream of water in his words across
A. al 90 tn,
house on Elm street, where the stream
was not of sufficient force to break a
pane OF glass. 1t was his opinion that
the pipes were not of sufficient size to
maintain the pressure.
On cross-examination Mr.. Totmaa
was closely questioned as to the condi-
ton existing at these fires and to the
Number of hydrants. their location and
the amount of hose laid.
Robert l.. Proctor, who has been
builder and contractor for about IS
years, was then called to furnish esti-
mates upon the mason work on the va
rious buildings of the company's plant.
Mr.. Proctor has had with wide expe-
rience in building, having erected
among other buildings the Hollings-
worth & Whitney mills at Winslow. and
the pulp mill at Madison.
Mr.. Proctor was requested by Mr..
Johnson to make an examination of the
buildings which he did and the figures.
which he arrived at for new construc-
ton were incorporated in a schedule
which Mr. Cross, who figured on the
wood work, read when put upon the
stand after Mr.. Proctor had finished
Mr.. Proctor thought that most of the
buildings We're in very good condition.
Mr.. o. o. Cross has been a carpenter
fol- 10 years. and contractor for the
last IL years. Following are the esti-
mates which he and Mr.. Proctor placed
on some of the buildings. The stable
$1032.22 the superintendent house
$29l5.S0 pump station. No. 1. including
gate house, $2714.35, pump station, No.
Il. s2293.91.
Mr.. Baker closely examined Mr..
Cross as to omissions made in his esti
mates and on points where they mater
tally varied from Mr.. Moves estimate.
The last witness for the afternoon.
was Horace Purinton. contractor and
builder, who has had wide experience
in all sorts of contract work, and has
erected buildings in various parts Of
the State.
Mr. Purintons estimates were care
fully itemized, and the totals are as
follows Stable, $16S3.41; superintend-
ants house. $685. IA, gate house on west
side. s216965: pump house on west side,
$l22199; pump house on east side.
S3O75.15; machine shop, $210S.90: gate
house at reservoir, $669.17; making
total for the buildings of $14273.41.
When Mr.. Purinton had finished
there We're other witnesses waiting. 1t
was the adjourning hour and while the
commissioners expressed themselves as
willing to hear more testimony. COM
passion was taken upon the steno
graphers who have to work far into
the night. and the hearing adjourned
at the usual time.