The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-12-02
THE ANSON WATER QUESTION
Another Spirited Discussion

The water question in Arson is still
very live issue, in which the voters
in North Arson village and the voters
of the South end OF the district have
wide difference of opinion, as was
shown at a special meeting held in
the Arson town hall Saturday after
noon. According to the account re-
ported as follows: The meeting was
called to order by the district clerk,
and Frank H. Holley of North Arson,
was elected Moderator Article 2.
which was to see if the district would
vote To rescind the vote taken on Dc
tober 9. whereby the district voted
not to issue the necessary bonds for
financing the plant, provoked heated
discussion in which personalities We're
exchanged. Promptly as soon as the
article was read Judge Augustine
Simmons, the leader of the North An
son contingent, made a motion to pass
over the article. George H. Viles
who has been one of the leaders in
the South end of the town and who
is a member of the Board of Water
Commissioners, stated that at the
previous meeting it had been voted
ough investigation had been made as
to whether the plans as outlined for
the plant were adequate, and said the
commission had employed another
engineer, and with the consent of the
meeting introduced w. S. Johnson of
Boston, Mass Mr.. Johnson read
written report the substance of which
was that after going over the plans
carefully that he was convinced that
it would give excellent service. and
fill every requirement. He recon-
mended that more wooden pipe be
used to reduce the friction, also the
construction of a storage reservoir.
AT the close of the report Mr.. Niles
stated that the commissioners had
followed the instruction of the voters
and endeavored to get an impartial
report He also stated that since
the last meeting he had caused furth
err Investigations by the New England
Insurance Exchange and that the
proposed plant had been endorsed by
them. At this time Mr.. Johnson sub
mitted to a vigorous cross question
ing by Judge Simmons He stated
that he had nothing to do with the
Hanscom Construction Company and
had never met MIR. Wordsworth who
drew the plans for the proposed plant
until coming to Arson. He also said
the plant proposed would give AIDE
duate fire protection to the higher
levels in both North Arson and An
son lower village Also that he
would not advise a fourteen inch pipe,
but if anything were added storage
reservoir would be the thing. Mr..
johnson stated that he most emphati
cally endorsed the proposed system
and that it would be adequate to all
demands upon it. Mr.. Niles stated
that Mr.. johnson came at his request
and had been recommended by par
ties having nothing to do with the
Hanscom Construction Company. Mr..
Niles stated that in the beginning all
had been harmonious and asked
Judge Simmons what had caused his
change of heart The Judge refused
to be cross questioned but said he
would tell the meeting in his own
way what he had to say AT this
point he took off his coat amid rip
Pile of merriment and made long
speech in which he stated in sub
stance:
That he was not opposed to "A water
system but what he was fighting for
was an adequate system and that the
proposed system did not fill the bill
and warned the voters not to invest
$4,000 in any such plant He limited
that there was something peculiar in
the way the contract had been award
ed by the commissioners to the man
a l.. .I.,,,
had been Il lower bid. He also stated
that in all of the information given
lie meeting there had been nothing
to show that the insurance rates
would be made less. The Judge was
interrupted several times and his wit
ty replies convulsed the meeting with
laughter. At the close of the speech
Mr. Niles again took the floor and
stated that he strongly resented the
hints OF dishonesty as made by the
Judge, and that while he might have
made some mistakes the proposition
was all right and he hoped the voters
would not pass over the article. Judge
Simmons replied that he did not say
Mr. Niles was dishonest nor did he
think so and had defended him in pri-
waite on several occasion, but he did
think a mistake had been made
Other speeches We're made by Messrs.
j. M. Norton, f. A. Manter Sherman
Tinkham and James H. Thorne Esq
Mr.. Thorne stated that he was ac-
quainted with the insurance business
that that no company would grant a
decrease in rates until a plant had
been installed. BY vote of 70 to
20 no article WaG nnCCn6 OVnr AL
though there were several other arti-
cles in the warrant the meeting broke
up by common consent as soon as
the vote was taken. A delegation of
Madison business men were interest
ed spectators of the meeting. An in
formal gathering of the voters in the
south end of the town was held Sat
urday evening and the general senti-