Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-15
IN FAVOR OF THE
 ouiNERAue POWER CHARTER
Senator Barnes Sees Nc Reason Why
 it Should Not be Granted.


 it Should Not be Granted.
 The committee on incorporation gave Ia hearing on Wednesday afternoon. on baug Power company. engineered by Charles w. Comstock. The hearing twas continued for two hours.
 Senator Hinckley stated that the people in his district were unanimous Fly in favor of the granting of the charter, irrespective of party aff1liation. ] Senator Barnes said he had known MT. Comstock for years and knew that and he put them into execution. He knew MT. Comstock too we'll to even think that he sought this charter. to ihold. and unload at a big profit. Sem ator Barnes said the Quinebaug Pow CT company intended to sell electricity at wholesale and that Norwich had purchased power as that could be done cheaper than it could be produc- l ed by the municipality. He could see no solid reason why the charter should not be granted to MT. Comstock. MT. Comstock said that Senator May had requested to be recorded as in fay- or of the granting of the chrater. James Graham, representative from Lisbon, spoke in favor of the charter. He said there was no post office or store in the town and there was no in | duStry of consequence there. He told of all that had bee ntaken away and l the town was almost drowned to death. The proposition would increase the val uation of the town and be of great l benefit.
 | First Selectman Kanahan, of Lisbon, said there was need for an increase in the grand list and this would come with the establishment of the Quire- baIg plant in Lisbon.
 | John F. Hennon, representative for | Griswold spoke in favor of the propo- sition, -as did also Second Selectnnan Johnson, of Lisbon.
 MT. Comstock said since the last hearing he submitted the charter to MT. Searles, Mayor Brown and MT. Browning and had received their ap- proval as awarded and MT. Moore house had withdrawn opposition for the Connecticut company. Mayor Brown of Norwich said his objections had been eliminated by the new draft of the bil1 in so far as the city of Norwich is concerned, although he was not enthusiastic ovcer the project. MT. Comstock said there was still opposition from the aDnielson and Plainfield Electric company, which counsel for that company. The Rock vile and Willimantic Light company, was also in opposition. MT. Comstock said his company wanted to go into | the wholesale business and not in the retail line, and there had been drastic changes and only concerned New Lon don and Windham and Holland coun- l ties.
 
 changed somewhat, but does not change his clients, the Danielson and Plainfield company. At first the charter covered the whole state and was very objectionable, but since then good changes had been made. Oppo- sition has disappeared from New LoE- don, Norwich and oMntville, as they are covered by another company. If MT. Comstock will take out Killingly, Brooklyn and Plainfeld, Mir. SearIes said he would put on his hat and leave the hearing at once. The charter was not wanted in the section of the state he represented and they did not want the water power held for speculative purposes, end not for the advantage of the people. He objected to the broad privilege that permitted of sale and consolidation with like companies. He like MT .Comstock and did not cb- ject to his company providing power to Lisbon adn other places, but the company was not wanted in his sec tion of the state. Until there is vitali- ty back of this proposed concern he tinue for at least two years.
 Mir. Thomas of Waterbury, repre- senting the Rockville -Willimantic company, objected substantially along company did business in Vernon, Windham, Stafford and Mansfield and Ellington.
 John F. Carpenter, representing the
 
 spoke in opposition to the bill. and furnished light and power at low rate. He did not want this menace. This new project is not on a solid basis and all the manufacturers of the section and also the Mystic Power company were opposed to the measure. He did not want any visionary power hanging over the electric business of the section and the vested rights they posses be safeguarded.
 MT. Comstock said if you don't be- gin something you cannot get any, thing. He said the first charter in this line was referred to as visionary, but it was developed and is now giv- ing service in Norwich. MT. Comstock said it was the intent to develop the undeveloped water power where water is now running to waste. In regard to consultations, can only consolidate with existing companies. He knew where an immense volume of power was demanded and he wanted to furnish it. He could reduce the price of electricity to patrons at whole sale and furnish power and light to plants cheaper than they can manufa- ture. Manufacturers, acceding to MT. ments of water power that Is owned by others. The owners want to sell and who will sell at a price and he ought to be granted the opportunity. The permit any other company to come in to a district covered by other com- panies provided there is proper ser vice. These companies are not Aeing to do any service that will result to their injury and invite competition There must be a step formed and use- less plants be reJuvenated and a6e- quate service be given and at a con- knew there was no opposition from New London county. He did not ob- ject to eliminating some other towns, as requested by MT. Searles, of the fAn pended the granting Of the charter. Still he expected to sell electricity to the torsns eliminated.
 Messers Thoms. Searles and Car penter unitedly declared they would not object to the charter provided agreement was made that he should