Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-08
FIRE DEPT. HEARING
Postponed Until Wednesday-Othe'
Matters Before judiciary.

The first matter to come before the
committee on judiciary Tuesday after
noon was the act relating to the tenure
| of office of the fire department of the
| city of Augusta. A. NJ. Goddard, repre-
| ssrlting remonstranta to the measure
| said that he had no objection to the gen.
| crai principle of the bill but it would
have to be amended considerably to meet
with his approval. By agreement be-
tween Mr. Goddard and T. VI. Thomp-
son. the latter representing the propon-
ents OF the measure. it was agreed to
continue the hearing until P. N.
Wednesday.
The greater part of the afternoon was
devoted to a hearing upon the act to
grant additional rights to the Lubec Sar-
dine Co. 1t developed during the prog
ress of the hearing that the additional
powers asked for was the giving of the
power to maintain and furnish electric
ity to the town of Lubec, although there
was nothing in the title to indicate that
such was the purpose of the act.
Elisha Pike of Eastport. secretary of
the committee, explained that there was
n general demand on the part of the
town for an electric lighting plant. The
proponent corporation owned three large
sardne factories and also the building
in which the Lubec Electric Light co.
had formerly carried on business. Inc
Sardine Co. also had large engine III
one of their factories, which could be
used to furnish power.
Robert J. Peacock of Lubec, treasurer
of the Sardine Co. said that the Old
company had operated with second hand
machinery furnished by the Drew Ma
chinery Co. of Manchester, y. H., but
had not operated since Dec. 1907, He
said that no outside company could come
In and operate at q profit.
Representative Hersey of the commit
tee thought the title of the bill ought
to be amended so that the public would
clearly understand what the company
vas asking for. Mr.. Peacock replied that
the residents of Lubec and ]. II. Gray
of Lubec, the clerk of the old corpora
ton understood perfectly the additional
rights which the committee was asking
for. He said that the population of Lu-
bee was about 800 and that a population
Of 800 or 800 would be convened by the
lights.
Representative John +. McCurdy of Lu-
bee started in by saying that the people
Of Iabec had been in darkness since
1907 and there was no hope for the old
company but was interrupted by Repre-
sentative Davies with. "What about the
bondholders. they ought to be protected
II think the people of Lubcc ought to be
considered by the committee more than
the bondholders." He afterwards eX-
planned that practically all the stock Of
the old company was owned by Drew and
Wheeler of the Drew Machinery Co.
Representative Bisbee of Rumford Falls
appeared before the committee in regard
to the bill to enlarge the limits of the
Rumford Falls Village corporation. He
explained that the purpose of the bill
| was to take In about 90 acres additional
where sewers had already been built and
| streets laid. No one appeared in opposi-
| ton. The bill to incorporate the Mexico
Water District, assigned for Tuesday
was tabled until Feb. 81
| The Davies public utility bill was with
| the consent Of Representative Davies
who is of the committee. referred on mo-
| ton of Mr.. Hersey to the committee on
legal affairs. This change of assignment
| was made SO that 1t might be heard al
the same time with the Pattangall-Scates
public utilities act in the other commit
/ tee.
The closing hour of the session of
the committee on judiciary was devot-
ed to the act to incorporate the Blue
hill Water, Co. . Forrest p. Snow, ot
Bluehill appeared for the proponents
l