Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-13
Hearings at Portland
Before the Public Utilities

Before the Public Utilities
the county court house in Portland be-
fore the Public Utilities Commission in
the matter Of bringing about physical
| connection between certain electric lines
and steam railroads for the forwarding
| and transfer Of freight.
Nov. 9Th hearing opened before the
commission on three petitions.
One by W. H. Pearson Company Of
West Falmouth. and a large number Of
other firms and individuals along the
Lewiston Interurban road who desire
that the Commission decree that the An
| droscoggtn Electric Company and Port
land Terminal Company and the M. c. r.
r. arrange for the carrying forward and
delivery Of ffeight to and from points
along the line of the Interurban road
and transfer of freight between the rail-
roads.
Another by the Cumberland County
Light & Power Company that the Port
| land Terminal Company maintain to the
so-called power house track and also
that physical connection between the
| lines of the respective railroads be de-
creed.
The third petition is by c. I. Bailey
and others of Androscoggin County
against the Lewiston. Augusta and Wa
| terville Street Railway Company and
the M. c. R. R.. that a physical connec-
| ton between the two roads be made for
the transfer of business at Winthrop.
Several hearings have been held on
the petition and large number of those
fo inc 6n
| opportunity of being heard
Strong opposition was developed by
the steam railroads as it was claimed
| that allowing physical connections be-
tween the roads involved. would result
in competition in freight carrying busi-
ness between the electric and steam rail-
roads. 1t was also claimed that such
| connections would not be in accordance
with the interstate commerce act.
Attorney F. H. Haskell argued Mon
day for the petitioners of Gray, Fal-
mouth and New Gloucester. William M.
Bradley for the Cumberland County
Power & Light Company, and Judge
Morrill, Of Auburn for the Androscoggin
Electric Company. Judge Symonds Of
this city appeared for the Portland Ter
minal Company and Hon. Seth NJ. Car
ter Of Lewiston for the M. C. r. R. and
b. & NJ. r. r.
| A hearing was held in the municipal
court room at Bangor Monday after
noon before Eben F. Littlefield. chair
man of the Industrial Accident Com
mission created under the workmen's
compensation act. on the claim for ad-
| ditional compensation presented by c.
S. Moore, laboring man who has been
employed by the Foundation Co. of New
York at the new plant being erected at
the Eastern Mfg. Co. at South Brewer.
K. E. Twitchell Of Augusta. official
stenographer Of the board, was pres
ent.
Moore was injured while at work at
the plant and his bills for medical at
tendance were paid by the company
with which the Foundation Co. Is in
sured. also his wages for several
| weeks. The company gave the man
light employment at his regular pay
when he presented himself for work
again after the accident, but the appli-
cant appeared to misunderstood the
provisions Of the act for he demanded
State compensation also during this
period.
Arthur L. Thayer, attorney of Ban
gor. was present in the attitude Of ad-
Juster for the assurance company. No
conclusion was reached by the commits
sioner whose decision is final
1t is said that the accident board is
an overworked body, many complaints
being lodged with them for compensa-
ton resulting from accidents. This
week the board has four hearings and
next week nine are scheduled, and as
the distances separating the locations
are considerable, much time is occu-
pied In travel. Then. the hearings are
at times rather lengthy. The necessity
OF adding to the membership of the
board, which consists Of the labor COM
missioner, the insurance commissioner
OF the state and the chairman, appoint
cd oy the Governor. may be brought up