Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-30
Maine Water Powers
Continued from Page One)


Public Utilities commission was ere
ated
.lr. Jordan gave a resume of the
water power agitation beginning III
1884 which eventually led up to the
establishment of the old commission.
This was largely in the nature Of
recitation Of the efforts made by him
to have certain powers developed IN
the vicinity of Portland years ago.
IT included 4 relation Of what he
found about 1904. when he visited
California, in regard to long dis
lance transmission of hydro-electri-
CITY.
lie then said that about 1907 he re-
ceived a request from Boston pa
ties for information concerning
powers in Maine. Understanding
the situation as he did, this worried
him. He had seen the result at
North Gorham IF Il development of
power and it's transmission to Port
lard. IT had depopulated tile
place. He spoke of his fears to r. T..
E;cker of Poland Spring. for whom
lie was doing some work. Mr.. Kicker
became interested and took hold of
tic matter This agitation grew UNI
Ill the Water storage commission
WAS provided in 1906?
He explained to the committee that
previous to this there had been a
resistance to State activities. 1t
had been impossible to get date from
the federal authorities on water
possibilities in Maine. The reason
for this resistance he left for the
committee to decide.
The storage commission went about
the work of investigating these pow
ers. but certain interests opposed to
such All investigation combined and in
1913 brought about the termination Of
it's existence.
lie was present to urge the recrea-
ton Of the commission under this new
form to carry out its conception for
the welfare Of Maine. The science If
transmitting electricity had been SO
improved that it could be sent for hum
dreds of miles; could cover the entire
State. Owners of these powers knew.
as did he. through their journals wha:
is impending in electrical use. but they
do not take the public into their con-
fidcnce. Under present methods 1t is
possible to interlock all the powers of
the State. The great powers of Maine
were few, but add to them the incl
dental. or small powers. and the result
would be colossal amount Of electri-
Cal energy. BY such means all the
small powers on a river could be hook
cd up together and made to feed the
main line further down.
Describing how under today's meth
DDS a mountain stream could be made
to do manifold duty by series Of tur-
bines placed. top like. one above the
other along the mountain side, thereby
greatly adding to the power possibili-
ties Of that stream.
He could not help from thinking Of the
railroad situation. The greatest exam
PIE Of this in America was the Chicago.
Milwaukee q St. Paul. which with $50
miles Of roed already electrified had
now ordered 80 more miles SO equip
ped. What was to be the future Of the
Maine Central? The great bulk Of its
business was the transmission Of forest
products. Differentiation was constant
~ going on. He did not doubt but
what the Maine Central had some plans
10 meet future conditions. but he felt
the State should do something to make
sure OF . future business for the road
and for Maine.
The day Of farm power and heat a.
well - light from electricity IL in sight,
declared Mr.. Jordan. and the fertilizer
plant operated in the same way is but
little further on.
He said that the divergency between
electricity generated by coal and that
generated by water was constantly
growing greater and all the time in
favor OF water.
The utilization Of the great power
possibilities. he said. could best be had
in Maine. not by State ownership. but
by strong State control. He said that
he Was opposed to State ownership. He
believed in giving private capital long
charters with proper provisions for re-
turn to the State. not at great values.
but at fair returns.
IAN water development should be IA
cilitated by the State and I urge that
this bill have a passage" said Mr..
jordan in conclusion.
Chairman Davies-We arg very glad