Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-19

how the power should be allocated
between the two sides of the river.
Opposing the measure Mr.. Leigh
said that he should have supposed
that any one coming to the Legisla-
ture with a bill of this kind would
have had something solid and sub
Stantial to stand upon. Instead, the
proponents came with only bill,
few words of explanation, no fig
ures, no substantial estimates and
asked the committee to grant a bill
which might be of greatest moment
to the State of Maine. That had not
started legislation on the Canadian
side of the line.
The Maine counsel for the incor-
porators had said that they did not
plan to interfere with body now do
ing business in that section and the
Canadian counsel said they were in
terested in the development Of In.
dustry on the upper st. John and in
Inmates that this development will be
on the Canadian side of the river and
with American developed power.
Mr.. Leigh said that the bill as pre-
scented gave this company authority
to generate and sell power in Aroos-
took county. Back in 1903 Arthur r.
Gould secured rights to develop at
Aroostook Falls and since then the
Maine and New Brunswick Power
Co. and the Gould Electric Co., had
developed and spread out until 1t
now served all places in Aroostook
except Ashland, which had q local
development, with electricity. It had
an investment of more than $2,000,-
900 in that county. 1t sold by whole
sale, with one exception, to local
companies in each place. Under the
provisions of this bill the Winding
Ledge Power Co.. could go into this
territory-it would be in the heart of
part Of it-and take away business.
The only purpose Of this bill. as
Leigh was direct competition with
the Maine and New Brunswick and
the Gould electric Co.
Mr.. Leigh wondered whether this
| committee wanted to take any
chances. It was here to guard the
/ interests of Maine. Did they want
to give this Winding Ledge Power
Co. right to come into direct COM
petition with Maine and to send pow
err to mills moved from Maine into
New Brunswick.
| Were he appearing as a private
| citizen, said Mr.. Leigh, he would
call the attention Of the committee
! to the fact that Mr.. Stevens had in
dicated that the greater part Of this
power would be used in New Bruns-
wick.
Mr.. Gould said his plant now de-
velops 5000 horsepower and uses
half that amount, that the power is
all sold and that there are few
! towns in the territory without light.
His company never refused to supply
any. Are you in a position to fur
nish power to the places the Wind
ing Ledge Co., proposes to furnish
with power?" he was asked. 1--WE
are furnishing it," he replied.
| He then described the building Of
a high tension line and two addi-
! tional units at a cost of $4,000 to
furnish power to pulp mill at Van
Buren,. under a five year agreement.
I'VE never got our money out Of 1t,
to say nothing of the cost of produc-
ing power" he said.
| Mr.. Guilds company distributed at
wholesale to 16 towns in the United
/ States and half dozen in Canada,
but distributes only at Presque Isle.
The market Is now saturated. About
so per cent of the power. all Of which
/ is generated in Canada, is now used
in Maine.
| Have you any objection to the
passage of this bill If it frees you
from competition in the territory
YOU now serve?" asked Mr.. Powers.
! Mr.. Gould said he had none.
j. F. Gould, representing the PEN
obscot Development Co., said his
company would object If the flowage
of Chamberlain Lake was to be af-
/ fec:ed. Mr.. Gould agreed with Mr..
Carter of the committee that If the
! company were to sell out the whole
water shed could be drained, or If
the owner of the lower dam should
/ purchase the dams above, he could
! flow out the whole shed, providing he
did not damage dams or highways,
and that this was the right Of emin-
ent domain. Sen. Carter called at
tention to the fact that this right
rested with the legislature. Mr.. Gould
said he and Mr.. Carter were in
agreement on the mill act.
l.. c. Stearns appeared for the
Eastern Manufacturing Co., which
also wanted assurance that the pro-
posed act did not affect Chamberlain
Lake or the East Branch. Mr.. Pow
err said he was willing to make any
promise in this regard; all his COM
pany wants is the natural flow of the
river.