Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1912-05-31
Letter From Gov. Mes d =.

regard to TINS large dam In the Deer
field River Valley is very desirable
thing to do. 1t would be perhaps i'm
possible to use too much care in regard
to the substantial construction of the
dam in question, or any other like dam
being built in the State, and the con-
struction should not be permitted if
there is good reason to doubt the sub
stantial character of the work. There
has been several occasions in this
country where such dams have given
way, causing large loss of life and
property:
Rutland, VT, May 81, 1912.
To the Editor or Proprietor of Middle
bury Register,
Middlebury, Vt.
My Dear Sir:
You may be aware that there is a
very large dam which understand is to.
be hundred feet or more in height and
and at least one thousand feet in length
extending across the Deerfield River
Valley in the town of Somerset, Vt.
| have heard very much of the general
features of this dam and regret that a
few of the people in that valley are
somewhat alarmed as to the general
construction of the same. | have re-
ceived letters and the nature of them
was such that felt l should take the
subject under thorough consideration
and that an examination of said dam
should be made and have obtained the
services of no less an engineer than Mr..
Alfred R. Noble of New York city.
Mr.. Noble was one of the Panama
Canal Commission and one of the con-
sulting engineers designing the Gatun
Dam at Panama and the general super
vision of the Pennsylvania railroad
tunnels under New York City. His
selection is approved to me by the
engineering department of the State of
New York and the engineering depart
ment of the War Department of the
United States Government. He is one
of the most eminent engineers in
America.
Quite number of people in the State
have expressed a desire to visit the dam
and to do so when Mr. Noble is to be
present. have had sent to Mr.. Noble
all the blue prints and specifications
necessary and he has fixed on June 18th
to make the examination.
Tho &C +b;e Jo,s -,
erset is to be not only a very large
storage reservoir but there is also to be
constructed in connection with it very
large electric power plant to serve
various towns in southern Vermont
1t is one of a series of developments
which will number ten in all. four
others in Vermont and five in Massa-
chusetts. The property is being de-
veloped by the New England Power
company, a corporation financed by
very strong financial and business men.
Hon. Clarke C. Fits of Brattleboro,
attorney and representative of the New
England Power Co. in Vermont, has
shown special willingness to assist in
making this investigation as thorough
as possible as to the safety and general
character of the dam and in caring for
the wants of those who wish to be
present on this occasion. | have al
ready arranged with him to be in
Brattleboro on the afternoon of June
10th, then to go to Wilmington that
night by automobile, where we can
start early in the morning of the 18th to
visit the dam referred to.
1t will be one of the largest if not the
very largest storage reservoir in New
England and one of the largest electric
power plants. This plant and the other
plants on the Deerfield River and the
one at Brattleboro on the Connecticut
will form by far the largest hydro
electric development in New England.
The capital represented in the develop
ments now going on on the Deerfield
River is approximately five million dol
: lars and the total expenditure to be
. made on the Deerfeld River will be
twelve million dollars.
Several members of the press of our
State have already expressed a desire
to be present and l thought it wise to
extend an invitation to all those who
would wish to visit the dam on this
occasion. If you will kindly advise me
of your wishes at your earliest conven-
ience | will forward the same tn Mr.
Fits that he may make suitable ar
; rangements.
Thanking you for a prompt response
and with kind regards, l remain,
Most respectfully,
JOHN A. MEAD.
Bin RaNAnuA ronn Rofafaaa