Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-06

, power. telephone and telegraph lines
and also the manner of building and
| maintaining such lines long or across
| railroad tracks.
, The service rules are designed to
specify the character of electrical
service which is to be given by the
utilities III the state. The rules re-
fer to the quality of the service the
methods to be employed in meterinS
or measuring the quantity of energy
actually delivered. and the general
relations which should be maintained
between the utility and the public it
serves. 1t is hoped by this method to
establish standards which will re-
move the cause Of many contro-
Versies which now arise between the
utilities and their customers.
The safety code deals with the
methods of constructing. operating
and maintaining power and COM
munication and signal lines and
equipment in such a way as to re-
duce the life hazard from the use of
such facilities to minimum. These
rules deal with the strength required
for the various parts and the separa-
ton and ClearanceS of each class of
facility from the other classes, as
well as the type Of construction and
clearanceS of the various lines at
high way and railroad crossings.
Such rules help materially in reduc-
ing the number of fatal accidents &C.
curing in the State.
The rules for inductive co-ordina-
ton are of a general nature and re-
quire the power and telephone COM
panieS to cooperate in the cOnStruc-
ton of their lines so that each may
he enabled to serve the same COM
munities in a reasonable and salts
factory manner.
These rules have been compiled by
the engineering staff Of the public
utilities commission. who have con-
suited with the l.. S. Department of
Commerce. Bureau of Standards, the
National Electric Light Association,
the local power. telephone. telegraph
and railroad interests. and other per-
sons. corporations or associations
interested in the subject.
Another matter of vital importance
which will be considered at this con-
ference is the proposed classification
of accounts for electric and gas util-
tiles. This new classification at
tempts to bring the accounting meth
GUS OF tnCSc UTILITIES INTO line with
the best practice of the day. These
rules We're prepared and compiled by
Mr.. Albert T. Lamb, chief accountant
for the Public Utilities commission.
They are arranged in such a way
as to remove certain of the ambig-
uities of the present classification
and also to give the commission more
adequate and dependable financial
| and sta jca1 data
1t is expected that the local tele-
/ phone. telegraph and power com
panies will be well represented at
this conference by members Of their
managing, engineering and operating
staffs. The railroads will undoubtedly
4, send representatives to consider
their interests in the matter of rail-
road crossings.
Representatives Of the National
Electric Light Association the Am
erican Bell Telephone Company and
the L. S. Bureau of Standards may
also be present. This conference of
course is open to the public. Any
municipal officers or individuals who
are interested in any Of these mat
ters should take advantage of the
opportunity to appear and express
their opinion as to the adequacy OF
necessity of any Of the proposals.