Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-31

l. The members of the Maine Electro
| cal Association met Friday night at
the New Augusta House and enjoyed
| its mid winter banquet. Covers were
laid for about 100 and 81 were pres
ent to partake of the excellent spread
prepared by Landlord Emerson. AL
s o'clock the members filed into the
banquet hall and enjoyed the bounti-
full feast, which consisted OF seven
courses, with all the extras.
After the banquet the speeches or
the evening were in order.
John II. Maxwell of Livermore Falls,
president of the association, acted as
POSTMASTER and introduced the speak
ers of the evening.
Elmer e. Newbert, mayor of Au-
gusta, who was an invited guest, was
the first called upon. Mr.. Newbert
began in his usual happy manner by
relating to those seated at the tables
a few of his stories which always de-
velop into good laughs. Mr.. Newbert
welcomed the members of the asso-
citation to Augusta I'VE are glad, gem
tlemen, that you are here for many
reasons Augusta is dry town: this
is dry banquet, it's a good time for
you men to be here. 1t Is good time
for YOU to be here because Augusta
is right in an electrical way, Mr..
Newbert further welcomed the mem
bers because they were men of pow
er and men of light"
This city is a city of power, ne
said, because we have the Central
Maine Power Co. here" Mayor New
bert then assured those present that
when they visited Augusta again, IL
would be lighted to the State Capitof.
THE cost of Augustus lighting sys-
tenn is none too great in view of the
benefits which we know will accrue
from it." declared Mr.. Newbert.
chss. 8. BurIeigh.
Charles B. Burleigh of Boston was
then introduced as a pioneer in cleo
trical persuits. Mr.. Burleigh's talk
was short, it being mostly made up OF
figures showing the electrical progress
in Maine Nevertheless, it was deep
ly interesting and instructive from ev-
cry point of view.
Cyrus C. Babb.
The next speaker of the evening was
Cyrus C. Babb, chief engineer of the
Maine State water Storage Commls-
sion. MIR. Babbs talk in part was as
follows:
Il understand from your president
that this meeting is to be devoted to
a discussion of the various ideas, fal-
lacious or otherwise, now prevalent.
This is a most excellent idea. 1 pre-
sumo l was asked to speak to you as
a pronounced advocate of centralized
control.
"A few years ago, this entire sub
jeet was in a state of very consider
able confusion. Ideas are now becom-
ing somewhat clearer although meth
DDS of procedure and policies are far
from being crystailized. 1t is stiil
matter for discussion and considera-
ton by many minds.
maine now has $4,000 horsepow-
err developed by 1900 plants, under
total head of about 1900 feet. 1t ranks
third of the states of the Union IN
this particular For water power used
in manufacturing, it ranks second
New York still leading. but in the pro-
portion of water power to total power
Maine has first rank.
Your speaker believes that the
water powers of Maine are its great
est natural resource, not even except
ing it's forests, and has placed their
potential value at $15Oo0000o
DEVELOPMENT of our water powers IS
progressive and the State should en-
courage every effort in this direction
but not to the detriment of its pres
ent or future interests. Concentration
of water power control and mergers
of various companies have taken piace
during the past few years IN tiis
State, 1t is recognized that mergers,
especially of hydro electric companies,
resulting generally in the coupling up
Of two or more Independent plants, are
of economic value to all concerned, IN
fact, an actual and practical conser-
walton of our resources, but in such
cases let there be full publicity and
State regulation.
Summarizing: 1t is held that the State
should adopt the following principles re-
garding it's water powers: The engineer
ing. examination of plans OF dams and IN
snection of construction; the taxation OF
developed water powers, based on the
gross receipts of the companies; all wa
ter users on a stream, benefited by stor-
age. to pay their proportional share or
expenses of operation. maintenance, etc.,
of the storage reservoirs; supervision by
the State of the regulation OF such res
ervoirs: the location of permanent mon
uments indicating the high and low wa
ter marks of the ponds and lakes of the
State; sufficient power for an admins
trative department to carry on these
principles.
Ex-Gov Cobb.
Ex-Governor Cobb was the last speak
er of the evening. Mr.. Cobb was very
interesting and convincing speaker THE
people of Maine are gradually becoming
impressed that the corporations are doing