The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-11

$500
Is The measure Of the Republican
victory In California. MAINE
should double that number,
RAILROAD and Masuiacinrins Enterprise.
of Portland,

RAILROAD and Masuiacinrins Enterpri.e.
of Portland.
To the Editor Of the Press:
Since the projection of the Atlantic & st.
Lawrence Railroad, in 1916, the attention of
the people of Portland has been directed al
most exclusively to railroads, as a means of
promoting the growth and prosperity of the
city. Municipal aid, so literally extended to
almost every railroad enterprise which has ap-
Piled has failed to accomplish results COM
mensurate with the investment; for the reason
that no well defined and comprehensive policy
has been adopted and pursued either in the
original undertaking or subsequent manage
meut Of such enterprises They have general
ly been started, put through with a rush, and
then abandoned to foreign stockholders or pri-
vate spectators. without any provision for pro-
tecting the city, in behalf of which they were
inaugurated.
But my purpose is not at this time to discuss
our past mistakes in regard to railroad invest
ments and the failure to re alize our lust ex-
pectations from them, but to direct attention
to another means for building up our city by
the improvement of the natural advantages
which we possess for manufacturing. Since
the introduction of the Sebago water, no city
in the country has greater facilities than Port
land for manufacturing by steam pc wer; and
by improving the tidal power at the Back
Cove bridges we have, what cannot scarcely be
found anywhere else in the country, an almost
unlimited water power, connected with one of
the finest harbors in the world, and with rail-
roads leading to all parts of the country. The
city, with wise forecast, some years since OBJ
tanned from the Legislature the right to use
this power, and have held it in reserve until
capital and enterprise should be found ready
to deyelope it. An application has recently
been made by company formed for expert
menting with compressed air as a motive
power, to the City Government to relinquish
the franchise in this great tidal power.
If private capital and enterprise can be en-
listed in the development of this valuable
power, it is undoubtedly for the interest of the
city to offer every facility and encouragement
for accomplishing such result But the fran
chse is too valuable and important to be rein-
pushed, except upon such conditions as will
rived from its use. 1t shonld not be yielded
up to any set of gentlemen however respecta-
bio, for the purpose of experimenting upon
any new motive power, or to he held by them
and sold out On speculation.
The experiment of applying compressed air
as motive power should first be practically
and successfully demonstrated, the company
to which the franchise is granted have bona
tide cash capital adequate to develope the
power and should he re0ujred to invest an ic-
lent to guarantee its faith in the undertaking
within one year from the date of the grant.
Let the city offer every encouragement for the
investment of capital in manufactures by
granting privileges. exempting from taxation
and, where promised advantages will warrant
direct aid. But in doing SO let it have un
doubted guaranty for receiving TIE quid prt
OaO p O.