Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-19
Seek Permission
To Sell Electric
Power in ArOOstOOk

Hearing was given Wednesday af-
ternoon by the committee on public
utilities upon the bill to incorporate
Allan E. Hammond, John NJ. Ste
vens. John w. Brainkley. Robert A.
Braman, Chester S. Colson, Augustus
II. Khinelander, Andrew j. Beck,
and Chester G.. Whitney as the
Winding Ledge Power Co, with au-
thority to construct O dam across
the st. John River at Winding
lodges and to generate and distri-
tute electric power throughout
Aroostook county. The promoters
were represented by Herbert r.
Powers of Fort Fairfield and the
opposition by Thomas Leigh of Au-
guSta.
Outlining the purposes of the
company Mr.. Powers said that pow
er development at Winding lodges
was not new thought; that in 1905
charter was granted for this same
purpose. Opposition in New Bruns-
wick prevented enabling legislation
being secured in Canada so that the
plan was dropped. The name of
that first company was the St. John
River Dam Co. Changed conditions
lad now removed the opposition ana
this seemed to be the opportune
time to so ahead.
The location Of these lodges,
about five miles above the village OF
Fort Kent, and within the bounds
of the town of Fort Kent, was ideal
for power development and con-
| Struction of a Gam. River narrow,
with ledge bottom and on both sides.
Dam would be about 16 feet high,
would flow back for about five
miles and develop between 1000 and
1000 horse power on the minimum
flow Of the river. There was no
other electric development in that
vicinity and no interests which
! would be affected. The promoters
| expected to respect the rights of all
others. He believed that this would
| result I'm developments. industrially,
which would benefit all Maine. as
| well as that particular locality.
Answering questions by Mr.. Leigh,
who represented the Maine and
New Brunswick Power Co., and the
Gould Electric Co.. Mr.. Powers said
that the date of the option on the
land on the Maine side was drawn
Jan. ., this year and not recorded
until Feb. u. He understood that
the title to this land changed be-
tween those two dates. He thought
the purchaser was fully aware of
the existence OF the option. Under
those circumstances he felt that the
option would hold. He did not
know whether incorporation Braink-
ley was connected with the Inter-
national Paper Co.. but thought that
Mr.. Braman, Colson and Rinelander
were. Mr.. Whitney was associated
with Mr.. Hammond in the Ham,
mond Lumber Co. of Van Buren,. Mr..
Whitney lived in Boston.
Asked Mr.. Leigh if they proposed
to take this land by eminent do
main under the rights granted. Mr..
Powers said they would take it I'M
der their option. which he felt the
courts would hold was good. If the
option was not good they were ask
ing right to build a dam without
owning in any way foot of land
on the Maine shore.
Senator Anthoine wanted to know
where the company proposed to use
the power and was told that there
was no definite plan. 1t was expect
ed to develop industry. There was
much forest land on the st. John
above Winding Ledge and this was
expected to be developed, said Mr..
Stevens told him. Mr.. Stevens also
said that the users would be as much
on one side of the river as the 9TH
err, but he would not care to suggest