Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-12-22
On Mr.. BowIer's Investigation.
CHIEF ENGINEER BowKER DOES NOT
AGREE WITH HIS CONCLUSIONS.

The Investigation carried on by the
Oxford County Citizen does not meet
my approval, for the facts are ignored
which are known to four hundred and
lightweight voters in the South Paris
Village Corporation. We all know just
what we have to-day and have had in
the past. We have competent, expert
machinists, mechanics, civil engineers in
our village, and hydraulic men, az
compared with any village of its size in
our state, all of which have watched our
water system, and il one of these men
say, as the Citizen draws the conclusion,
that it is all o. K. for fires in South
Paris to-day, never will utter word
against the system. / do think South
Paris people actually know about our
own affairs a great deal more accurately
than a man who comes in here and gath
ers information for the water company,
whose whole aim has been profits.
Now want the Citizen to understand
We are united in South Paris about the
water question. We never have bad a
vote against an article at our corporation
meetings. Does not that signify the dis
satisfaction regarding the water question
in South Paris? 1t should not be your
duty to come to South Paris and tell US
We have all that is needed, because our
four hundred and eighty-eigbt, to almost
man-save stockholders in this COM
pany-will vote to put in our own water
works.
You quote the tests made by D. W.
Sleeper, inspector, representative of
Underwriters Bureau. You claim it
contains report of the actual condi-
tons. l claim that is not the actual
conditions. My proof is this. You say
in your editorial that the two reservoirs
are 1877 feet high, thus giving static
Sleeper and Mr.. Bowler. how do you get
and give to the public 95 pounds pressure
at Norway and IS pounds pressure at
South Paris, ,chich is utterly impossible
converting pressure given into feet head?
Did the Norway Water Company have
this "slick article, as Mr.. Bowler calls
it, the 75.horse-power Odds gas engine
aud steam pump engine pumping into
the mains with all their horse power to
produce this 50 pounds pressure and s.
pounds pressure, when the test was
made? | say they did. This inspector
ought to have known some things he did
not.
Mr.. Sleeper says South Paris fire de-
partment is composed of volunteer men.
Mr.. Sleeper, that is false. They are
regularly paid men for all services. What
is his idea in giving report like this?
A water system pressure is actual head
pressure, not all engine pump pressure.
Va hau fra q
factory of $50 pounds, and think about
the same at the Mason Manufacturing
Co. That shouldn't be considered with
a reservoir system pressure.
Mr.. Bowler feels that the Norway
Water Co. has arisen to the demands of
South Paris people. Now wish to tell
Mr.. Bowler, of our 4SS voters l will
guarantee ass are adverse to his conclu-
sions. We are of the opinion that public
utilities which concern our health and
the property of our citizens should not
be left to individuals outside of our own
town, where the temptation Of profit
might produce disastrous results, and
therefore it is our judgment that under
takings in which our health and our
property largely enters should be
operated by South Paris people. l also
think a franchise granted to private
corporation should be terminable after
an indictment by grand jury.
Municipalities should have the power
to enter the field of municipal ownership
upon popular vote, under reasonable
regulations. We have the popular vote.
If you do not believe this statement,
come to our corporation meeting which
will be held within ten days in regard to
this water system.
Now let me say, Geo. R. Morton
never made statement but that he has
proof of the facts, and South Paris peo-
pie are all heart and hand with him.
Test was made Dec. II, 1908, with
three streams on one hydrant, on the
house recently purchased by Jailer Will
bur l.. Farrar, which is two-story
dwelling house, and the water does not
show the hight of the caves. That is
actual water test. Perhaps that is all
satisfactory to Mr.. Bowler at Bethel, but
it does not suit our tax payers. The
same results are found in other parts of
our village.
Now please do not claim you have
amply met the needs of South Paris,
because you are laboring under fond
delusiou. Please allow South Paris peo-
pie to know their own wants of fire pro-
protection and purity of drinking water.
CHARLES w. BOwKER,
Chief of the South Paris Fire Depart
ment.