Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-12
WATER HEARING.
Inspection Of Plants and the
Water Shed Completed.
Opening by Attorney Baker Engineer
GetchelI on the Stand.
Facts and Figures About WORKINGS and
Condition of Plant.


the water case was resumed, Saturday
morning, the Inspection Of the plant
here in Waterville, Fairfield, Benton
and Winslow and of the water Sized in
Belgrade, having been completed. The
forenoon was devoted to the opening
made by Mr.. Baker and to the partial
examination of William B. Getchall Of
Augusta, the civil engineer, employed
by the Maine Water Co., to examine
and schedule all of it's property in the
places named. The hearing will he re-
sumed at 945, Wednesday morning
Mr.. Baker spoke for nearly two hours
and covered the situation pretty thor
oughly. He briefly sketched some of
the history of the company and quoted
from the charters and acts of the
Legislature relating to the case.
He did not mention any price that
would be desired by the company for
its plant here but from statements
made and from deductions that can be
drawn from them this can be roughly
estimated and is fixed in the neighbor-
hood of $685., 600, although no one thinks
that this can be accepted as being cor
rect.
AS had been expected by many. Mr.
Baker admitted in way that the water
was being polluted, claiming that it
was pure enough at it's source but that
it became detiled While passing through
Oakland.
In speaking in a general way of the
value and earning power of the plant
here. he mentioned several in the state
that had not paid and which had been
the cause of unusually large eXpendi-
lures for repairs or improvements.
But WaterVille, he said, was one of
the great, growing and prosperous ones.
1t was conspicuous among the others
and always dependable. The Increase
in the population and wealth of the
city had caused q steady increase in
its earnings. He gave the net yearly
earnings of the plant here as $3f, 900
and belived that this could be expected
to increase at least $500 each year.
Mr. Baker spoke with considerable
feeling in this connection, describing in
glowing terms the potential value of
the plant. He stated. also, that the
company would be willing to take back
the plant from the district at a good
premium, whatever price might be fixed
upon by the appraisers.
1t was clear and able discussion of
the whole situation and cleared the way
in fine style for the testimony that is to
follow.
The estimated price that the company
desires is secured in this way. The
=, ie, to
per year, which is two and two-thirds
less than those given for Waterville,
hence the price should be that much
larger. or about the sum given. 1t is
thought. anyway, that it will be in the
neighhorhood of 100000.
Mr. Getchell was the first witness ana
he testified that he had been an engi-
neer 16 years and that he had made
measurements and plans of the plant
here. Plans. by the way, promise to
abound all through the hearing. Mr..
Getchell exhibited two large ones,
showing the pipe lines, and many
small ones showing the pumping sta
ton. the reservoir and other details.
Mr.. Getchell explained the construc-
ton of the pumping station, the reser-
Voir and pipe lines by means of the
plans, going into all the details. 1t was
brought out in this connection that the
city engineering base is % feet longer
than that established by the govern
ment Typographical survey. Mr. Getch-
els plans have all been made from the
city base, as the government base had
rot been established when he COM
menced work, while most of the engi-
neering done by the district is from the
government base. This make a discrep-
ancy of % feet between them and will
recessitate considerable figuring in
comparisons.
After the plans had been explained,
Mr. Gctchell passed on to schedules of
the property of the company. The pipe
line was taken first and the witness
stated that there We're 80 miles in all,
including all sizes ard styles of pipes.
This was given in detail, the sizes of the
pipes on the different streets, the kind
OF pipe used. etc, etc. all being neatly
arranged in tabulated form.
The submerged and suspended river
crossings, gates and valves, rock exca-
vation, MIGRANTS and services were all
given in the same way. AS he Went
along Mr.. Getchell was questioned by
Mr.. Baker on various points to make
everything clear and occasionally by
Mr.. Blake and Mr.. Eaton. All the neatly
compiled schedules will be left with the
appraisers so they may have them to
examine when they come to make their
decision.
When testifying regarding the by
drants Mr.. Getchell stated that there
are 1o4 in all. The elevation and static
pressure of each of these has been Sc
cured and duly tabulated
The number of services, including by
drants. was given as 2o2s, and as 1917
outside the MIGRANTS and special con-
nections like that of the Hollingsworth
& Whitney Co, and~a few others. Mr..
Getchell had apparently just gotten
Well under way when it came time to
adjourn for lunch SO he viii finish,
Monday.