Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-31
ORDERED TO GIVE SER.
VICE AT LISBON FALLS

A decision was rendered Thursday
by the Public Utilities Commission in
the case of Joseph r. Labeau and
others against the Lisbon Falls Elec-
trio Co. ordering that forthwith and
in any event before Dec. I, 1919, that
the company connect it's service with
the premises of the following named
Individuals: Joseph Deschene, Lis
bon Village: Fred Bernier. Lisbon
Center: B. D. Coombs, Lisbon Falls;
B. F. Card, Lisbon Falls; Mrs. Rob-
ert Loff1er, Lisbon Falls; Charles D.
Smith, Lisbon. The decision also
orders the company to forthwith and
not later than Dec. I, 1919, to make
the three extensions requested by
the town of Lisbon for its street
lighting service. The decision says
in part:
Several of the compliments were
present at the hearing and gave
testimony. The result of this testi-
mony is a belief on the part of the
commission that the company is not
and has not been giving sufficient
personal attention to the business
within its territory. We have had
occasion to take up several times re-
quests for. service. and the company
in each instance has pleaded inabil-
ity to procure the necessary revenue
to make what would seem to be rea-
sonable extensions or to connect UP
houses already wired and so located
that the expense of connections
would be relatively small. The com,
mission has also, through one of it's
members and members of it's staff
made a personal canvass and investl'
CATION of the local situation.
There seems to be very consid-
cradle demand for service which the
company either is unable to satisfy or
| is making no effort whatever to sat
isfy. Some Of the houses have been
wired I'D for more than a year. and
their owners have made frequent re-
quests for service without success up
| to this time. The town desires an
extension of street lighting service.
and has been unable to obtain such
| extension.
1.-THE character Of the service has
been such that the town has refused
| to pay in full for such public light
ing service as has been given, ana
the excuse which the company gives
| for failure to render better service IS
it's inability to obtain sufficient funds
| to furnish bulbs and other necessary
appliances to be used in connection
with the street lights. The entire
situation within the territory OF this
company is unfortunate. regrettaole.
and, we believe. largely unnecessary.
| We do not think it perhaps best to
make our criticism as caustic and
| direct as the circumstances might
seem to warrant.
I'VE do, however. say that TINS
! community is entitled to much bet
ter service than it has been receive
ing. The company Ought to be able
| to serve all of the customers who
| have complained Of lack Of service.
If this particular company Is unable
to take care of the field which it has
| invaded and which it clans as its
: own, then it should not be unwilling
to permit somes sompany able to rem
der fair servtk, = 1leer the field.
This would ba n. AAmeae, and could
not be countenant@d. except as last
| resort. The commission desires to
| give the present company every op-
portunity to perform its public duty
| and will do so"