Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-10
CONGRESSMAN McGILlIcUDDY
City of Lewiston Renews Fight for
Municipal Ice Plant


Thu city of LeWiSton'S fight for n
municipal ice plant which was started
two wears age was renewed Thursday
before tine judiciary committee. BY
rights and titles dating back many
years it is claimed that one company
new mas II monopoly Of all the availa
bic or practical ice fields on the An
drOSroggin river and thus is able to
absolutely control competition in tho
business. it is also claimed that IL"
Prices are TOO high and still going up
81 that MANY people are unable To al
tore ice; also chat some sections of the
clty are not served at all. The city
wishes 10 break IN this monopoly by
getting the right TO cut ice on the r!N-
- and sell il to the citizens at cost.
The hearing was conducted by Sena-
tor Edwards of Androscoggin on be-
haaf of the proponents of the bill. Wllile
to ease Of the ice company was han
died by judge w. II. NcNcll Congress
man Daniel }. McGllicuddv was pres
ant a. 4 listener but when called upon
argued strongly in favor of the mu-
nicipal plant
Dr.. Edwards was the first speaker
condition existing in Lewiston and
what the city proposes to DO if given
the right. He was followed by Italph
". Crockett, who argued that the cont
pany now in possession of the ice
fields naid some $S0.000 for the property
ard that some S65. 000 OF this must have
been for the peculiar privilege involve
cd. 50 naturally wishes to get as hIeh
prices as possible and keep out all
competition. He argued that the prices
are to" ligh and that the service is
unsatisfactory.
/. c. Bateman Of Lewiston made
spirited argument in favor of tie bill.
characteriZing the existing company
as a sonlless corporation bound to
make al the profit ii could no matter
now the people suffered.
Mr.. Eateman did not consider tho
question one of politics but thought
politics had been greatly influenced hY
il as most of the men who had been
active in tic cause OF the municipal
pant lad bee n. successful ut the polls
Nj McGiilicuddy now being n con
gresham, Frank \. MOreY being
Speaker Of the House. DR.. Edwards
promoted from the House to the Sem
ate and others being rewarded in 9TH
or Ways. He predicted that ii unsuc-
cessfTl this timc the proponents Of tho
measure would consider tie fight just
begun.
Prof Purnton of Bates College
spoke in favor of the bill as did Col
orcl Small and George Y. Turgeor.
Senator Edwards then called upon
~ i
sued strongly in favor of the bill. He
stated that IN extraordinary eXigency
50 far as ice goes exists in Lewiston
and that manv are unable to take ice
at the prices charged. No carts are
run at all IN some sections of the city
because not enough of the people are
able 70 take ice at the prices charged
to make III" service profitable. so all
have, to 90 without ice. He thought
thcr. was ro question about the pres
ent company being 4 monopoly 81 trust
and that t1er, can he no competition
undor. pr, nj conditions. The people
have nc reliet but in the Legislature
so a~c "skiuG tur thar. He considered
the hill constitutional as the Massachu-
spttS courts I'D decided that where a
local pXigcrcy Exists thu legislature
has a right To- give the people relief.
Litter when questioned by members
Of the committee Air. McGillicuddy
stated that he certainly favored the
municipal plant plan ana was sure il
v0uld he success and cited the mu-
nicipal lighting plant as sample OF
~ hat the city could do in this line He
thought the tendency Of the present
company is to raise the price and
shrink the piece
Judge Newell argued mostly along
legal lines, but denied that the prices
had been increased unreasonably or
were higher than in other cities of the
Stat. He also denied that some sec
tions of the city are not visited by the
carts. He thought it would be UNJUST
after the present company has invest
ed the money it has to give the city
the right to take any part OF It's prop
erty for the purpose of going into COM
petition with it and argued that tn"
city has no legal right to so into the
ice business.
The hearing closed with a lively
cross examination among those who
had spoken on the question, chairman
STABLES having some difficulty in stick
ing to the nro@ram that has been
adopted hy the committee FOR j., hear
ings.