Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-27

ton system but believes that the
public wants motor bus service.
Attorney Eaton contended that the
statutes do not give the Public Util-
tiles Commission the right to refuse
the granting of certificate to oper-
ate motor bus line on account or
competition, and that il motor bus
company expresses its willingness to
comply with the rules and regulations
as set forth the granting of the GER
tificate should follow as matter of
course.
Witnesses for Petitioners
Marvin II. Bridges of Bangor, vice
president and general manager of
the Maine Motor Coaches, Inc, the
first witness called by the petitioners,
told of the service that the new bus
company proposes to give between
Dover oxcroft and Sangerville, on
which route highway motor coaches
of 20-passenger capacity would be
operated. These coaches were manu-
featured by the international Har-
vester Company and have wide
treads, a low center of gravity and
are equipped with all known safety
devices including four-wheel West
inghouse air brakes. The company
plans to carry all necessary insur-
ance. The coaches will be operated
only by experienced operators.
Witness stated that the heating
system for the buses has given ex-
cellent satisfaction. He said that the
contention of the company that its
service should be allowed Is based on
the following points:
I. That the motor coaches would
leave in towns at more convenient
locations; 2. that the motor coaches
would make a greater number of
trips that the railroad trains and
afford a more convenient schedule:
3, that there is preference for this
form of travel.
Other witnesses who testified In
behalf of the petitioners were: Her
bert M. Abbott of Boston, Charles
A. Bixby of Worcester, Mass, assist
ant manager of the International
Harvester Co.; John D. Ramsey of
Bangor, district manager for the
Maine Motor Coaches, Inc, Gilbert
Whitehouse and Lester p. Doucette
of Brewer, employees of the petition
ing corporation.
Petitions were filed, signed by a
number of people in Piscataquis
county asking for the bus service as
proposed.
THE OPPOSITION
Attorney Henry ]. Hart of Bangor,
counsel for the Bangor & Aroostook
Railroad, called as the first witness
for the opposition John p. McCann
of Bangor, superintendent of the
southern division of the B. & A.
Railroad. Witness told of the SER
vice that the railroad company now
gives between Dover-Foxcroft and
Sangerville, stating that as superin-
tendent he had not heard any COM
plants of the service rendered. He
pointed out that there are four
trains daily, giving people of San
gerville and Guilford an opportunity
to go to Bangor and spend most of
the day and return to their homes
the same day.
He said that the total expense for
operating these four trains day be-
tween Bangor and Guilford is $3.50
per day.
II. T. Burns of Bangor, general
auditor of the Bangor & Aroostook
railroad, declared that from 1921 to
1924 the railroad had shoewd a de-
felt on its strictly passenger BUSH
ness without considering the matter
of interest on bonds. He spoke of
the decrease in passenger traffic and
said that the automobile was the
most important factor
Charles H. Bartlett of Bangor.
representing the Maine Savings
Bank association filed the protest of
that organization against the grant
ing of the certificate.
Other Bus Line Petitions Heard
Previous to the hearing of the first
of the Maine Motor Coaches, Inc,
cases, the public utilities commission
heard the petition Of Leonard J.
Hackett & Son of Rangeley, for a
certificate to operate a motor bus
line between Rangeley and Farming
ton, passing through Madrid, Phil
lips and Strong. Attorney Carl N.
Henderson of Pennington represent
ed the petitioners.
Opposition was presented by Hon.
Josiah S. MaXcv Of Gardiner one of
the receivers of the Sandy River &
Rangeley Lakes railroad.
The commission also gave hearing
on the petition of Frank w. Record
of New Vineyard, asking for certi-
ficate to operate a motor bus line be-
SHCCh ANcW blltydIu anu LSWISlOil,
passing through and serving Farm
ington, Mt. Vernon and Reacfield.
The petition was opposed by At
torney Charles C. Carter of Lewis
ton, appearing for Thompson & Du-
fresno (The White Bus Line) operat-
between Winthrop and Lewiston;
and Attorney George E. Fogg, coun-
sci for the Maine Central Railroad.
The commission will make it's de-
cisions later on these two applica-
tons.