Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-08

water supply. But the people
have been exceedingly patient and
long suffering in their endurance IF
these growing evils, until the distress
ing typhoid epidemic, directly caused
by the impurity of our water supply,
in the winter of 1903 spread through
all sections of the city which are sup
piled by the Augusta Water Company's
mains. and carried sickness and dis
tresS to hundreds of homes with death
TO many: when the situation became
desperate, and with the energy of do
spair. for the preservation of life and
health. We took this step which other
communities in this and other states
have taken for merely economic rel-
cons: seeking from the legislature that
measure of relief of which this present
hearing is the elimination.
Patient rs We have been in suffering
wrong. we have been equally moderate
conservative and fair in the form and ma
turc of the remedy which we have sought
and have obtained to the extent. as many
believe. of being too considerate of the
interests Of corporation which by a
violation of its charter obligations has
forfeited its franchise. in that. under
circumstances which would have justified
the granting to us Of charter to cstab-
liSh competitive works. we have only
asked for the privilcg" of buying the
present works ut the full, fair value. not
| only Of the plant but Of the franchise
also. Right or wrong. We have consented
| t. buy and pay for the franchise as we'll
rs the works, ard of course we expect to
| ply for both fair price
While rs I have said, it was ques-
| ton Of life or death with Us, and not
primarily an economic question, the mo-
tive ana sole object being to obtain
supply of pure water, the question of fl
name, $: that is, the question Of how much
We shall toe obliged to pay for the works.
! and more especially for tho franchise has
| Il most important bearing on tn question
| Of accomplishing the original purpose of
our undertaking. For if we are Obliged
| to ray for thu works and the franchise
such sum as would represent n result
! based on Tie lawful net earning capacity
of the plant. regardless Of the impurty
of the water. W. should he practically in
the same situation from which We sought,
and from which the Legislature intended
to give lis relief. Our water rates are be
You'd the maximum allowed by law for
pure water. We can not raise them. We
have no power Of taxation and We h3ve
no other source Of income. We must
| borrow the money to buy and improve
the works. And from the net income OF
| the plant we must pay the interest on
this loan, and lay aside annually the sum
required for our sinking fund OF course
We can not borrow money in excess of the
earning capacity of the works. And If we
aIe obliged to pay for the works a price
based on their earnings. without due de-
duction for impurity of the water. we can
never make the improvements and exton-
sions necessary to obtain a pure water
| supply. because such improvement and
extension. while very expensive. would
not add to the earning capacity of the
| plant.
Therefore, in addition to other deduc
lions for defeats in the physical plant and
| for probable ioSs of revenue. we shall
claim such deduction from the value of
the works ard franchise based on the
lawful net earning capacity at reasonable
water rates. as will enable us to make the
improvements and extensions necessary to
obtain an abundant supply of pure water,
such rs the Augusta Water Company. by
the terms of its charter. was under legal
obligation to furnish, and thus to do our
selves what is now the plain chartered
duty of this company to do.
With your permission. will now briefly
trace the history Of the Augusta Water
Company and the development of its
works as hearing on this question. ana
! especially with regard to the sanitary
features Of the case.
| Before any charter was granted for
the purpose. Warren Johnson and
Adam I.emont had purchased the
twenty-four acre lot which is shown on
the blueprint as just east of the De-
vine Springs on the Butnan lot. and is
now owned by the Augusta Water
Company.
| On this lot they constructed cam
ana impounded the waters OF the k"n-
ncdy brook. and from this reservoir
laid log pipes to and through tho
streets of the city.
This system was called the johnson
Water Works. taking its name from
Warren Johnson, its most active pro-