Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-04-08
Street Railroad Hearing.
PARIS AND NORWAY PEOPLE PRESENTED
THEIR SIDE TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION.

PARIS AND NORWAY PEOPLE PRESENTED
THEIR SIDE TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
\ COMMISSION.
The hearing upon the petition Of the
citizens OF Norway and South Paris IN
regard to running the street railway
between the two villages was held at the
court house, Wednesday, before the
Utilities Commission, Judge BENJAMIN
r. Cleaves of Biddeford and Hon. Her.
bert W. traitor of Fort Fairfield, sitting.
Before opening the hearing Governor
William r. Cobb craved the indulgence
OF the court to make . statement of the
attitude Of the Oxford Electric Company,
owners Of the road, and make proposi
tion to the villagers.
Bis request was granted.
Governor Cobb gave . brief history OF
the road since the Oxford Electric Com
pany gained control of it in 1914. he
stated the road had paid but one divi-
dend. He said there may have been
water poured into the corporation in it's
earlier days, but that his company
bought it.
They bad been hampered for power
until the company bought the Mechanic
Falls power plant which cost them some
$50, 000-SS0, 900 in preferred stock with
a mortgage circumference of $4,000.
In all there had been . bond issue of
$3.50, 900, $4,000 of which had been
issued on the general plant.
| At first the road had paid running
expenses, but of late years bad fallen
behind because of lack of patronage.
| Why people refused to patronize it he
did not know, but thought the sutomo-
bile had had great deal to do with it.
At any rate the patronage declined so
that operation was loosing proposition.
To add to the embarrassment the road
and equipment was worn out. The
track has been built twenty five years.
The ties are rotten and the iron worn
and too light. Both must be replaced
II the Utility Commission compel the
company to resume operation. The
road was for the convenience of the two
villages; and il is losing proposition it
seemed to him they should contribute
10 its rehabilitation. he thought ii
would cost some where In the vicinity of
$40, ZOO. His proposition was that bis
company and the villages cooperate in
the rebuilding on fifty fifty bssis-the
company furnishing $40, 900 and the two
villages contributing an equal amount.
Colonel Albert j. Stesrns, counsel for
the citizens Of Norway, cross examined
the Governor.
Asked if additional custom would not
help the road? He replied that 1t un-
doubtedly would, but felt that it would
take considerable to make it pay divi-
dends.
Asked if he did not think people
would patronize the road better If it was
in good condition? Thought they might.
Asked il be or members OF his COM
psny had talked with the Grand Trunk
Railroad Company in regard to that
road turning over It's passenger service
10 the electrics? he did not think the
traffic was "worth cup Of soap.
Asked about sQuiring the mail, ex-
press and and baggage business of the
steam rosd9 Said he didn't think it
would pay the electrics to take il over.
Asked il the villages take hold Of the
rehabilitation, what part they would
have in the company? Answered that
they would be taken into the partner
ship with director on the board, per-
haps.
Asked II the partnership with the
citizens would extend to the lighting
and power business? Answer, "Not on
your lifs!"
After some thought he added that
perhaps it might be done.
Asked by Hon. Alton c. Wheeler,
counsel for the citizens of South Paris,
why the money to rehabilitate could not
be obtained in the usual channels? Re. |
piled that Ii WAS not q bankable pro- |
position.
Asked about security for money sd-
vanced BY citizensP Refund bonds could
not be issued because of legal limitations
and whatever security was given must
be in the nature Of second lien on the
property.
The governor reiterated his PROPOSE. |
tan of partnership and the hearing had
recess so the committees OF the TWO
towns could confer. They decided it
was best for the bearing to proceed.
Colonel Stearns opened for the citi- |
zens. He gave q brief history OF the
electric road and the connected electrical
companies.
Norway, be said, was one OF the first
towns in Oxford Comfy, and State of
Maine, to adopt electricity for lighting
purposes and power. II was back in
1885 and 1887 that the first lighting and
power plant, The Norway Electric Com
pauy, was established for lighting Nor
way and its lines run to South Paris. 10
1892 z. G. and E Wallace, of Rochester,
\. b., took hold of the company, and in
1897 the name was changed to The Ok
ford Light, Heat and Power Company,
and az q later date TO Oxford Light Com
pauy. Later the company was trans
ferred to Augusta capitalists known as
the Maycumbsr group and including
such men as Governor John r. Hill. 10
1898 the Norway and Paris Street Rail-
road was built. 10 1907 The Maine
Power Company was organized at South
Paris. All these properties were gathered
into a new corporation in 1914 known
as the Oxford Electric Company, of
which Governor Cobb Is the head. In
1915 the Mechanic Falls Light and Power
Company was added to the list. The
stocks in control of these properties as
we'll as many others are held oy the
Maine Railways Light & Power Company
in Portland.
Mr.. Stesrns then gave the history OF
the Norway and Paris Street Railway,
now forming part of this company
property, from its. start in 1898 to the
present time, stating the revenue recelv-
ed and the number of passengers carried,
especially stating the patronage OF the
road in the months OF September each
year, on account OF the Oxford
County Agricultural Fair, which is held
in that month. The year 1913 was the
banner year Of the road. and Colonel
Stearns remarked, by way Of interlude,
remembering Governor Cob6s sllusion
TO automobiles as cause Of the roads
loss of patronage, that there were some
autos owned in 1918.
Mr.. Stsarns thought If the road WAS
rebuilt so as to be considered safe, with
sufficient power to insure regular ano
dependable trips, with courteous and
obiiging employers and an efficient man.
agement looking out for all additional
traffic that the revenues of the road
would be considerably increased 10 spite
of automobiles. he made mention OF
the Grand Trunk Railroad which he
thought wss willing to turn over its pas
ssuger, mail, baggage and express ser
VICE, thereby adding considerable rev.
enue. The passenger service, ne under
stood, was worth about 500 per month.
Thew would be glad to get rid OF this