Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-19
NAMES WATER POWERS
Represe ntative Clarence w. Outton
Talks on Those Natural Resources

Talks on Those Natural Resources
1.-THE only great natural resources left
70 the State is her water powers, 10 con-
serve and develop those for the peneht
and use of all the people within her Dor
ders, and for the present and future gen
erations, was the object OF my introduc-
ing in the Legislature the Maine Power
Commission Act" said Representative
Clarence W. button of Bingham Satur-
day.
THE bill provides for commission ap-
pointed by the governor and council to
investigate the undeveloped water pow
ers of the State and to recommend the
State development of such as to them
seems to be the most advantageous Tor
the purpose of generating electricity for
lighting, power and heating purposes
which is to be sold to municipalities,
manufactures, and individuals at rate
which provides for the expense Of opera
! ton, depreciation. and interests on the
bonds issued for the development of the
/ power and for a sinking fund for their
retirement within 80 years, continued
Representative Dutton
while the people of the State of Maine
have had their attention drawn to the
proposed development of the water power
on the east branch of the kennebec river
near Indian pond which has been heralc-
ed as the great octopus" little private
corporation unassuming in appearance
and unnoticed by friends of conservation,
has steadily increased its holdings, ac-
CURED numerous electrical corporations
with all the added privileges granted by
their charters until today it owns and
controls the greater portion Of the cleo
trical service of Maine, and comes be-
fore the Legislature asking for additional
holdings and for additional rights
II firmly believe that it is not for the
best interests of Maine that all of its
electrical power be controlled by great
monopoly. Electricity has become a
household necessity, villages and city
corporations find it indispensable for
lighting purposes all manufacturers use
it for lighting and many for power a
/ public utility so universally used should
be controlled by the people for the benefit
Of all. rather than by private monopoly
for personal gain
Twenty years ago man in Maine
who would advocate municipal owner
ship of water supply was considered thea
as great a freak as the man of today
who would advocate public control of our
water powers for the generation of cleo
/ tricity for the use Of municipalities AMI
individuals. Yet there is hardly a man
/ in Maine today who would not approve
of a municipality owning and controlling
it's own water supply.
THE proposition of government dstri-
button of electricity is not new one.
Canada lying beside our border has fur
nished it's cities towns, manufacturers
and individuals with electricity for as low
a price as one cent per kilowat hour aft
er caring for all its expenses, including
its sinking fund.- besides carrying over
a substantial surplus each year. Many
cities in the United States have assume /
control of its own electrical system with
the result that the rates have III nearly
every instance been reduced from 80 to
rs Der cent to the consumer. The ex-
pense OF generating electricity on a small
scale is greater in proportion than on a
Maine are successfully furnishing their
own electricity at much lower rate
than ever has been obtained from private
corporations.
THE future growth and prosperity in
Maine depends on being able to obtain
electricity for power purposes at a price
low enough to place its manufacturers on
equal footing with any state in the union.
Electricity can be furnished by Maine
cheap enough to make it of advantage
for all of our railroads to use 1t for
power purposes. thus lowering our pas
senger and freight rates and putting us
on an equal footing as manufacturing
state with the rest of New England.
1.-THE bill proposing to bring about
State ownership and control OF the
sources of electrical supply which have
introduced in the Legislature may not be
perfect: indeed I expect to be severely
criticized by corporate interests; yet 1t Is
substantially the same power commits
sion under which Canada has SO success
ful1y conserved her water powers ana
ministered to the welfare of her people
and the general prosperity of the coun-