Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-02
WATER STORAGE.
Able Discussion by Dis
iTiCt Engineer Babb.
Board Of Trade Invites Water
Power Congress.
Boys Camps Also Invited to As
semble at Augusta.

The feature of the monthly meeting
Of the Augusta Board of Trade, which
was neld Monday evening at the Au-
gusta House, was an address by Dis
trct Engineer Cyrus c. Babb, who is
in charge Of the State water storage
work. The address emphasized the
great possibilities of Names water
power and after a general discussion
it was decided by the Board of Trade
to use all possible efforts to secure the
holding at Augusta of the Water Pow
er congress proposed for next summer
to consider the provisions of a bill for
legislative enactment by the 10Th Leg
islature.
The business meeting was proceeded
by supper at which those in attend
ance were: f. C. CARL, Cyrus c. Babb,
George w. Merrill, H. \. Whitman,
Edward l. Herbert, S. J. Beach, c. L.
Andrews. William T. Jones. F. II. Bur
CESS, r. Toas, Frank L. Fair Thomas
G. Ingraham, George d. Haskell, II. j.
Cross, r. H. Stubbs, George A. Per-
ley. Wilbert s. Wilson. Others joined
the party at the business session.
A letter was read from Hiram w.
Kicker stating his interest in the sub
tect Of water storage and a case of
Poland water, the gift of Mr.. Kicker,
formed an appreciated addition to the
menu. The board at it's business ses-
sion voted to extend an invitation to
the Boys Camps OF the State, which
met at Lewiston last year, to meet this
year at Augusta. If the invitation is
accepted. as it is understood that it
will be, the athletic events will be held
at the Driving park.
Provisions for the entertainment of
the annual meeting of the state q. A.
r. and allied patriotic organizations
and for the Maine Medical Association,
both of which organizations will meet
here in June, We're discussed. President
CARL appointed a soliciting commit
tee to act in the matter of entertain
ing the Maine Medical Association.
The remainder of the meeting was
taken up by the address of Mr.. Babb
upon Water Storage" which was lis
tened to with the closest attention. The
address follows:
The State Legislature of 1899 authorized
a topographic survey of the State to be
made in cooperation with the United
States Geological Survey. By the Act of
1905 this organization was TO be known
as the State Survey Commission and it
was authorized to include in its work,
Topographic, geologic, and photographic
surveys of the State. The act limited the
State organization to an expenditure not
to exceed the amounts allotted by the U.
S Geological Survey, and as a eonse-
quence, in certain years when the U.
S. Congress failed to make a sufficient
appropriation for the Federal Bureau.
the money expended by the State Survey
Commission had to be reduced although
the State Legislature appropriated speci-
fic funds for the work. 1t is believed
that the limiting clause was not condu-
Give to systematic work.
The act of 1863, creating the State
Water Storage Commission. was based
on the very comprehensive act of the
State of New York creating similar
The State of Maine then
took an advanced step in the investiga-
ton of it's natural resources. especially
its predominant one, its magnificent
water resources
The commission was directed to pro-
coed at once to collect information rela-
tive to the water powers of the State, the
the location, nature and size of the lakes
and ponds in the State, and their respec-
tive value and capacity as storage reser-
voirs and such other photographic data
as they might deem of value. 1t was
directed to cooperate with the U. S.
Geological Survey and the State Survey
Commission in making a topographic
survey of the State in so far as it related
to the water powers and storage reser-
voirs of the State. and this would make
it to cover the entire State.
The commission was directed to present
a comprehensive and practical plan for
the Improvement and creation of such
water storage basins and reservoirs as
will tend to develop and conserve the
water powers of the State. 1t was also
directed to investigate the question of
denuded. burnt over or barren lands in
the State. their extent and value, with a
view to their purchase by the State for
reforestation
The State Survey Commission was au-
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