The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-16
sUpERrNTENpENT's REPORT

Col. Kicker, the Superintendent, reports that
the business of the roads has been done with
very little interruption, the cars having run on
wheels all the year excepting ten days. The
regular cars have run more miles than in for
mer years; extras rather more than formerly;
on the Deering line alone they have run 100
miles. Whole number of passengers carried,
831 $3.50; an increase of 1899. Seventy-five
horses are used and the rolling stock is the same
as last year, and it has been kept up by repairs
The road bed is in good condition. The Super
intendent suggests that the office and stables
are too far apart and points out some of the
evils of such difference of location. 1t would
be an economy of at least $1,000 year to con-
solidate the stables on one. spot. Referring to
the unhealthy location of the Spring street sta
BILE, Col. Kicker reported thirty cases of sick
ness among the horses, of typhoid and dipthe-
ria nature, arising from the damp floor over
stagnant water
The time of the trips ON the Deering line had
been extended from thirty to forty minutes, as
measure of economy, and also to bring the
speed of the cars within the limits of the char
ter. On the Deering line, by an exact compu-
tation, 6S cents is received for each seat, on an
average of seven passengers, and the time now
made on the lines is better than on any road in
the United States that the Superintendent is
acquainted with. He recommends that as soon
as the location of the Union Depot is fixed, the
track be extended to it, This could be done at
a cost of $4,000 to $4,000, according to location
In conclusion Col Kicker rendered his resgna-
ton to the Directors to take effect on the LIST of
April or sooner, if it suits their convenience.
A committee, of whom James Bailey was
chairman, was appointed to receive, sort and
count the votes for board of five directors
While the Committee were out, Capt. John
B. Coyle remarked that there was good deal
of complaint in Deering in regard to the man
agement of that line. Too long a time inter-
vened between the trips, especially at morning
and evening.
The President said the Directors had tried to
arrange the cars so as to suit everybody, but it
was impossible.
Col. Kicker said the test was to accommodate
the greatest number possible. Never had so
many trips been run per day as now.
Mr.. M. G. Palmer referred to the commuta-
ton of figures in the Superintendent report.
1t would surprise people to learn that the cars
in this city carry more passengers per car daily
than in Boston. He had tested the fact that
cars can be run ON the Deering line in 60 min
utes the round trip.
Superintendent Kicker said the South Boston
cars, which were the best parallel he could Of
fer, ran the same distance, but required an hour
and twenty minutes. No set of horses can
stand so much work. To shorten the time the
speed must be increased, and in case of acct
dent you are not protected by law for you ex-
coed the speed allowed by the charter.
The President thought there might be a solu-
| ton of the difficulty. Parties had offered to
| buy or lease the Westbrook line. For his own
part, and he was a large stakeholder, he would
| be in favor of such transfer
| Mr.. Sam'l Jordan asked the President if he
was empowered to make such transfer.
| Col Merrill replied, that it could only be
done by vote of the stockholders. For his
| own part he would vote for it.
| Mr. Jordan thought it would be for the in
terest of the people of Deering to own the road
| There is now two corporations, practically. 1t
would be expedient as means of develoRing
| territory in that town. They would wish to
run it by Aliens Corner and into the city over
Tukey's bridge. He offered the following:
Voted, That the directors be Authorized to sell
or lease that portion of the road from the head
of Preble street to Morrill, Corner to response
BILE parties on terms just to all the stockholders.
Capt. Coyle said the policy of Portland and
Deering was different i'll respect TO this matter
| Deering wants policy that will build up the
town and encourage people to 90 out there and
| locate He thought the present fares were too
high.
| Col. Morrill, said the average fare on the
| Deering line was 3-8 cents. On the city line
an addition of one cent was plt on transient
passengers, and the result was an increase in
yearly receipts of about $1,000.
Mr.. John B. Brown thought that the people
of Deering could operate the road to advantage
and leave the directors at liberty to increase the
facilities in the city.
The President said proposition had been re-
ceived by the Directors some time ago from a
resident of Deering TO Lease the road for twenty
years, but it had not been acted on.
Mr.. McCobb said 1t was a question whether
or not it was for the interest of the stockholders
to sell out A per cent lease is one thing.
Are we making SO much, or likely to?
The question, is whether transfer is for the
interest Of Deering or the interest of the stock
holders. He was not prepared to answer the
question now, but thought It ought IL be dis
cussed in a meeting called for that purpose.
Mr.. Brown offered amendments to MIR. Jor-
dams vote, and after discussion it was
Voted, To request the Directors to call spec
ial meeting 20 a4thorize the sale or lease of the
Deering line on terms Just and equitable.
Mr.. III. @. Wheeler said the people of Deer
ing and Westbrook are ready to take and rur
the road on fair terms.
The nrono1itinn of Mr. Brown yxas aAonted.