Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-18
The Maine Central Power Company
VS.. the People.
Company

. l
VS.. the People.
Editor Kennebec Journal
Representing, as l do, large num-
Der of our people using gas and cleo
| tricity furnished by the Maine Central
Power Co. which has practically ac-
: CURED a monopoly of the franchise of
: a large part of our State l am asked
J to publicly protest against the ex-
orbitant prices imposed upon those
using gas and electricity When we
are required to pay $3.50 per thousand
: feet of gas, of doubtful quality 1t is
about time the consumers should take
definite and concerted action against
such gross injustice. If companies IN
Massachusetts, can afford, as they do,
TO furnish gas to the people at ~
lcents per thousand, isn't it quite within
the pale of possibility that this Maine
lCo. could furnish gas at $f.00 per
thousand and still lay a generous per
cent. upon their invested capital The
lold cry of large expense and limited
consumption is hardly convincing when
lthey have SO large territory aud 50
| many patrons, who. but for the eN-
Iorbitant prices would use gas or cleo
tricity more generously.
The prevailing use of gas stoves.
particularly in summer, would be
greatly augmented In winter. as is be
ing done in and about Boston, or III
fact in all the larger eenters in Massa-
chusetts. In many. if not the major
ity, OF the new apartment houses i'll
Boston they are furnished with gas
/ stoves only, because of the greater
, convenience and practical economy.
The same condition would obtain III
the cities and villages Of Maine If the
company were willing to give the peo-
| pie fair rate. Water gas is manu-
featured because of its cheaper pro-
duction and larger profit. But the
people must remember that it is con-
siderably more poisonous than coal
gas. consequently more dangerous to
those using it.
! All public utilities benefitting the
masses are entitled 10 a reasonable
compensation for their investment
which will allow for the construction
. and maintenance of their plant as we'll
t as the employment CT intelligent help
: in order TO keep them 10 the highest
e lpoint OF efficiency. But when the
patrons Of this couarany are charged
$3.50 per THOUSAND for water gas
a which can be produced for consider
r ably less than coal gas for which We
, | formerly paid $50 tefore they made
the change; it looks little suspicious
of excessive rates. As patrons. we have
a right to know M real cost. both
D from the company and a public service
: commission created by the Legislature
to serve the people Of the State, and
- -
e unjust rates.
I 1 have been told that water gas can
/ be produced for public use for % cents
J. per thousand. but as my investigations
fare not yet complete. am not publish
ing this as true However, as soon as
d / have satisfied myself, from indis-
putable authority, l promise the people
q to tell them.
Again in examining the meters;
d who but a person wholly uninterested
!, should perform that duty He should
lbe elected by the PEOPLE, or appointed
: by city authorities the same as sealer
Of weights and measures, and report
under oath, or attach his certificate OF
: his findings II the company. like
Caesars wife. desires to be above sus-
= picion. it should, by its own initiative,
ask that some one rot associated with
lit should examine every meter in their
: Irrespective towns and certify as to the
| correctness OF the reading.
, AS am writing this there comes 10
l my notice that some responsible per-
sons in Lynn, Mass are moving for
an act of the city government to put
gas at 80 cents per thousand; those 50
= moving having assured themselves
that such a price is perfectly feasible
: and fair. Isn't this instance, by itself,
la little enlightenins to us i'll Maine
even? Let us be faiI and absolutely
Just. but now that We are making n
move insist upon our rights as citizens
| and not rest until we have ascertalned
, 1.-THE legitimate rates at which this COM
pany can afford to sell its products,
and then be willing that producer and
consumer shall have their dues
At a meeting in Richmond, Va, the
. hath inst. under tie auspices of the
: National Municipal Progress League,
It's secretary, Clinton r. Woodruff, in
an address said: THE most noted ten
ldeney in American municipal progress
lis toward hopefuiness Grating is be-
, looming more and ore unpopular as
= ipeople come to know more about 1t,
Revelations while disgusting, are i'm
lportant and encouraging because they
= reveal conditions which an enllsht-
Tened public sentiment promptly seeks
: Ito eliminate" This is the prevailing
lsentiment of all our pepole who only
Task right and justice based upon ex-
parte evidence that they may be sure
lof the true status of corporate public
: relationship, and for what amount
: they can sell their products to con-
Z lsumers leaving an honest margin to re-
lmunerate those whose enterprise mas
Furnished public conyeniences such as
Ili.rlnt nd l,nat