Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-17


quire a. substantial capital invest
ment, upon which the company is en-
titled to receive a fair return. The
extension should be made If a gross
revenue sufficient, to pay the operat-
ing expenses and the fair return &c
which the company is entitled can be
assured for a reasonable length OF
time.
1.-THE company insists that such as
sured gross revenue should not De
less than $3.50 or approximately ~
per cent. of the estimated cost. While
this amount of gross revenue cannon
be considered as excessive, il 1t can
be obtained at reasonable rates, we
do not feel that so large an amount
ought to be demanded before service
is supplied to the compliments and
others in this territory who may de-
sire 1t.
1--WE find, after giving this matter
our careful consideration, that the
requested extension should be made
by the company and its service OF
fered to these complainants and
others who may request it along
the proposed extension, provided an
annual gross revenue of not less
than $3.50 can be satisfactorily
guaranteed to the company for
period of five years.
Decree in Belgrade Case
The Commission in the case OF L.
III. Wadleigh ct ais VS.. the Central
Maine Power Co., says in part in its
order:
1.-THE petitioners reside in farm.
ing community in the town of Bel
grade, on road which extends be-
yond the present end of the re-
spondent company's distributor
line. An extension of 2.15 miles
starting on the road to Readfield
about two miles distant from Bel
grade Depot at the end OF the exist
ing distribution line. will be re-
quired to serve ten prospective
customers. Three of the petitioners
will be comparatively large users OF
ably require but small amount OF
current. Other possible customers
are indicated, one Of whom lives
some distance off the proposed line
and for whom an additional extern
sion (Which has not been considered
in this case) would be required.
1.-THE cost of the proposed extern
sion, estimated by our Engineering
Department as well as by the Com
pany's engineers, will be approx
mately S2500.
Suggestion was made, at con-
ferences held prior to the hearing
that the prospective customers fur
nish the poles, labor and trucking
No definite proposition, however, tC
this effect was made at the hearing
nor has any definite offer been flee
in the case. If such contributions
were made, the cost of the extension
would be reduced to approximately
$4,000. Nearly all of the interested
parties who desire service were
present and testified at the hearing
Some of these witnesses apparent!
are of the opinion that they should
receive the service at no greater cos
than is borne by urban subscribers
while others recognize the fact thai
the electric service cannot be eX.
tended to sparsely settled rural dis
tricts unless reasonably additional
revenue can be assured.
1--WE find that there Is demand
and a necessity for this service, ano
that the extension should be made
as requested, provided sufficient
revenue can be secured to the COM
pany for reasonable length of time
1--WE have given this matter oui
careful consideration, and are OF
the opinion that the company should
not be required to make the invest
ment demanded by the proposed ex-
tension unless an annual revenue OF
at least $500 can be assured for a
period of years"