Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-28

The University of Maine, through
its president, has offered the services
Of its experts on the engineering facul-
ty and the use Of its we'll equipped lab
oratories in Investigations along the
lines OF chemical. civil, electrical and
engineering. This offer was
accepted in behalf of the Commission
and has been of material assistance to
the department during the past year.
The field Of service which the Univer-
sity is capable of rendering in this re-
spect seems very broad.
THE State Laboratory of Hygiene
has co-operated with the Commission
in making analyses of samples of wa
ter taken in connection with the inves-
tigation of the purity Of water supplies
for domestic purposes.
Inspection.
1.-The following classes Of utilities
have been inspected: Steam railroads:
electric railroads; gas companies; wat
err companies; electrical companies
The department also inspects new
bridges and construction on new loca-
tons for steam and electric railroads.
Steam Railroads.
1.-The commission has continued the
work Of the former railroad commission
in making physical inspection Of the
steam railroads. Particular attention
has been given to existing special laws
and rulings Of the former railroad COM
and the inspector has deter
mined the extent to which the laws
have been complied with
The scope of the inspection in gener-
al covers the following: Description of
line: general characteristics of road;
inspection of cuts and entertainments
with respect to width. slope and drain
age; rails. weight condition and con-
nection; switches. kind and condition,
of switch stands, switch
and signal lights. whether derailing de-
vices are used; maintenance of track,
surfacing and condition of
ballast; right of way, condition. MAIN
tenance OF fences, etc; mile and whis-
tie post maintenance; stations and
whether sufficient for the
service and properly furnished. obser-
walton of sanitary conditions: train
condition Of rolling stock.
Electric Railroads.
"The chief engineer and the chief
inspector have made the inspections
on the electric railroads.
attention has been given to the fol-
lowing points relative to each utility:
Description of line; location of bridges;
condition of track and special work;
condition of overhead construction;
power sites and description of gener-
atins plants including equipment;
methods of operation: condition of roll
ing stock; obtaining condensed plan
and profile of the system where avail
able.
Gas Companies.
"All gas companies have been in
spected with the following objects in
view: Kind of gas made: apparatus
used in generating and purifying the
gas; what tests are made by the COM
pany for determining the quality Of the
gas manufactured: methods used in
regulating the pressure; the extent to
which pressure surveys are made and
how often; determining if maps of the
distribution system are available; de-
termination Of types of meters used,
the methods employed in testing them,
and what standards are used in the
test.
Water Companies.
These utilities have been inspected
for adequacy and security of service.
Where information was not otherwise
available, the inspector has visited the
various sources of supply with a view
Of determining the adequacy of the
same and also to determine the exis-
ing sanitary conditions. The latter fea-
ture of the inspection will receive con-
tinued and detailed study. Where filtra-
ton is practiced the methods used
are carefully considered. Maps Of the
system are obtained, when
in order that a study Of this
feature may be made.
When the utility operates other
than by gravity. statement relative to
the equipment used in pumping the
water is obtained, special attention be-
ing given to auxiliary equipment avail
able for immediate use. If utility
meters it's services, the methods of test
ing the meters have been investigated.
Electrical Companies.
I'm the inspection of this class OF
utility the department obtained from
each plant a record of the apparatus
used In generating and transforming
The current. A record has been OBJ
aimed concerning the equipment for
voltage regulation and the extent to
which voltage surveys have been made
t is planned to develop this phase Of
he work. The area and population
served by the utility have received
careful consideration.
Special Investigation.
1.-The department is frequently asked
10 make special investigations for the
,omission. To give an idea Of the
scope of this branch Of the work. the
most important ones carried out in the
past year are briefly enumerated.
"First-Investigatio Of the method
If other state commissioners in the
natter Of rules of service for gas, cleo
.ric and water utilities.
"Second-Investigatio Of the means
employed by the different states for
protection Of grade crossings
"Third-Studies have been made of