The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-31

ADD WATER POWER u c -.
second. Rising in such a mountain
: Gus country, It's descent is rapid, and
: IN many places 1t falls go 1eet per
} mile.
The st. John river drains the
whole northern portion of Maine and
considerable of Canada, and pm races
740O square miles. A large portion
of this drainage basin is now will
derness. There are 1900 small riv-
ers and streams tributary to this out
let OF the $50 square miles of the lake
surface in its basin.
The Presumpscot is one of the fin
est water power rivers In the United
States. This is the outlet of Sebago
lake, and more than 5000 horse pow
er is now developed on this stream,
the larger part of which is utilized for
the great paper and silk plants in
Westbrook
MIGHT BE IN FIRST PLACE.
In 1903 Maine was second place in
total horse power development, with
203, GOO horse power. New York was
in the lead with 10000 horse power
and California was in 23d place in the
list of states. Three years later New
York was still in the lead with $780,
000 horse power. California was sec
ond with 10000 horse power and
Maine was i'll third place with 243,000
h. D. 1t is believed that with scien-
tific development Maine can be placed
in the lead, or at least on a level with
New York.
Cyrus C. Babb, of the l.. S. geo.
logical survey, now on detail in
Maine and in the employ of the Maine
water storage commission, is making
careful study of the water power
situation. 1t is expected that either
this fall or in the early spring there
will be a meeting of the members OF
this commission, with lawyers, en-
gineers, mill men and land owners,
to get at the consensus of opinion as
to what is best to be done in the way
of development.
A bill introduced into the session
of the last Legislature provided for
state control and regulation of water
power and water storage companies.
Provision was made for enlarging the
powers of the commission. The
measure in question was entirely new
in this section of the country, but it
contained nothing that had not been
adopted by New York, Wisconsin,
Pennsylvania or Oregon
There was SO much to be consid-
cred, however, and so many questions
involved that it was thought best to
refer the problem to the next Legis-
lature. A synopsis of the bill to be
: presented to the next Legislature will
be submitted to the forthcoming Con
gress for consideration.
Section / empowers the State water
storage commission to divide the
State into drainage districts by wat
crushed lines for the purpose OF
crea ting administrative districts. The
purpose is the State control and reg
ulation of all great ponds of the State
and all reservoirs created.
1t authorizes the commission to
mark by permanent monuments
nights to which water may be raised
or lowered on the reservoirs and to
drawing of water 1t is provided that
an appeal may be had from the de-
cisions of the commission to a board
of arbitration of three hydraulic en-
gineers appointed by judge of the
Supreme court.
The term reservoir is defined az
any basin having an available capa-
city of 200000,000 cubic feet. This
; provision Is inserted in order that the
commission would be relieved by OPP
erations of small reservoirs, especial
ly those created by mill dams. The
200, 5000 cubic feet capacity is sim
ply an arbitrary figure and might be
changed If deemed advisable.
The limiting capacity does not ap-
ply to reservoirs created on great
ponds, as it is believed that the State
should control all reservoirs on all
the great ponds of the State.
POWERS OF STATE COMMISSION.
The State commission is to pass
upon and accept or reject any plans
: for dams constructed in the State
The rejection of the plans is to be
o only on the grounds of inadequacy OF
engineering features and in this con
n nection a board of arbitration is pro
o vided for.
o Certificates OF incorporation of wat
f err storage or water power companies
: are first to be passed upon by th'